Microstructural evolution and grain morphology of ZrN pellets

Improvements in the mechanical integrity of zirconium nitride (ZrN) inert matrixes in advanced nuclear fuels were addressed in this work. This was done by first better understanding and then controlling texture and microstructural evolution of the former. Several samples were examined via orientation imaging microscopy: several monolithic specimens were hot isostatically pressed (HIP), and two sintered specimens with 80 % and 85 % density Grain size and crystallographic orientation studies revealed sample microstructure and their evolution during sintering. A correlation between larger grains and orientations near to 〈111〉 parallel to the compression axis during cold pressing was present for the 85 % density sample.