Making of U-6Zr/Al fuel element core (FEC) with a density of 5.2 gU/cm3 through pressing technique

The U-6Zr/Al Fuel Element Core (FEC) has been made using depleted uranium with a density of 5.2 gU/cm3 through the pressing method. The pressing technique to make plate-type of FEC from powdered fuel U-6Zr is the most widely used powder metallurgical technique. At first, U and Zr metals are melted using an electric arc smelting furnace equipped with a water-cooling system. The results of the smelting in the form of ingots were then cut into pieces and processed into powder through the hydriding-dehydriding process and the other part was tested for the formed phase using an X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) equipment. The hydriding process was carried out at a temperature of 350 °C. In comparison, the dehydriding process was carried out at a temperature of 450 °C and then milled until smooth for further analysis of the composition, density, and partly mixed with Al powder and put into molds to be pressed using a press machine up to 180 bar to become U-6Zr/Al FEC. The U-6Zr/Al FEC obtained is then measured for its dimensions. The results of the U-6Zr ingot test show that some elements in the U-6Zr ingot exceed the limits of the allowable requirements but have no effect especially on their neutronic properties. The results of the phase test show that only apart of the U-6Zr ingot changes to the phase as expected, the results of the density test produce a fairly high-density value of 16.6 g/cm3, and from the measurement of the dimensions of the U-6Zr obtained (length x width x height) is (25m x 15mm x 3.31mm), where the thickness of the meat is exceeds the required thickness of 3.15 mm while the average result is 4.08 mm. Making of FEC with this pressing technique can produce a fairly good FEC although it still needs improvement.