Characterization of simulated burnup fuel by nanoindentation

A simulated burnup UO2 based fuel (150 GWd/t) was prepared by solid-state reactions. The phase equilibria of the simulated fuel were evaluated by XRD and SEM/EDX analysis. Nanoindentation tests were performed for the simulated fuel at room temperature in air. The modulus and hardness of the matrix phase and oxide precipitates that exit in the simulated fuel were directly evaluated by the nanoindentation.