Irradiation tests for U3Si–Al dispersion fuels with aluminum cladding

The HANARO fuel element is made of a cylindrical fuel meat, top and bottom aluminum end plugs and an aluminum cladding with eight longitudinal fins. The fuel meat of each fuel element consists of a dispersion of small particles of a high density uranium silicide (U3Si) compound in a continuous aluminum matrix. To verify the irradiation performance of the HANARO fuel at a high power and a high burnup, in-pile irradiation tests were performed in the HANARO core. Detailed non-destructive and destructive post-irradiation examinations were conducted. It was verified through the irradiation tests that the HANARO fuel maintains a proper in-pile performance and integrity even at a high power of 121 kW/m and up to a high burnup of 85 at.% U-235.