Heavy ion irradiation of UMo/Al samples PVD coated with Si and ZrN layers

Excessive U-Al interdiffusion hampers the development of UMo/Al based disperse fuel since several years. As a remedy, addition of diffusion limiting elements to the UMo (Zr) or the Al matrix (Si) has been suggested. First test irradiations showed promising results. However, not the full amount of third element addition to the UMo or the Al contributes to the prevention of interdiffusion layer formation. Therefore, surface engineering of UMo particles, i.e. coating of UMo powder with diffusion limiting elements using DC magnetron sputtering, has been suggested. Thereby the diffusion blockers are applied directly where they are needed: at the interface between the UMo and the Al.For this study, samples from full size plates produced with UMo powder coated with Si (300 nm and 600 nm) and ZrN (1000nm) have been examined before and after irradiation with Iodine at 80 MeV.In case of Si coated UMo particles, a dense Si rich layer developed around the UMo particles during plate fabrication. However, the ZrN layer frequently revealed cracks but no interaction with the Al matrix or the UMo occurred.During heavy ion irradiation, no UMo/Al interdiffusion occurred at spots that are protected by a sufficiently thick Si rich layer or a non-cracked ZrN layer. In contrast, a conventional UMo/Al interdiffusion layer (IDL) occurred at spots where the UMo has not been protected by a Si rich layer or the ZrN layer was broken.