The effect of RE-rich phase on the thermal conductivity of U-Zr-RE alloys

Thermal conductivity of RE-bearing U-Zr fuels was investigated. Under an assumption of a RE-rich phase forming a macroscopic mixture with the matrix, the thermal conductivity was estimated for U-Zr-RE alloy. It was evaluated that the thermal conductivity of the U-Zr fuels would be lowered by less than 5% due to the addition of RE. The measurement of the thermal properties of U-Zr-Ce supported the present estimation.