Linear thermal expansion, thermal diffusivity and melting temperature of Am-MOX and Np-MOX

• The thermal properties of Np- and Am-MOX solid solutions were investigated.
• Np- and Am-MOX solid solutions exhibit the same linear thermal expansion.
• The thermal conductivity of Am-MOX is about 10% higher than that of Np-MOX.
• The melting temperatures of Np-MOX and Am-MOX are 3020 ± 30 K and 3005 ± 30 K, respectively.

The thermal properties of Np- and Am-MOX solid solution materials were investigated. Their linear thermal expansion, determined using high temperature X-ray diffraction from room temperature to 1973 K showed no significant difference between the Np and the Am doped MOX. The thermal conductivity of the Am-MOX is about 10% higher than that of Np-MOX. The melting temperatures of Np-MOX and Am-MOX, measured using a laser heating self crucible arrangement were 3020 ± 30 K and 3005 ± 30 K, respectively.