Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
5454075 Journal of Nuclear Materials 2017 18 Pages PDF
Abstract
The influence of superficial defects (induced by surface sputtering) on uranium oxidation and hydriding behaviors has been studied. Depleted uranium surface was etched by Ar+ sputtering, the etched surface morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscope. The initial oxidation kinetics of sputtered uranium surface and mechanical polished uranium surface in ambient atmosphere were characterized using spectroscopic ellipsometry. As-polished and sputtered samples, as well as sequence sputtered samples ambient oxidized for different time, were compared in hydriding kinetics to investigate the co-influence of surface oxidation and superficial defects induced by Ar+ ion bombardment. The morphologic characteristics of hydride sites in a few grains were also revealed and enhanced by sputtering, showing a network of fractures for fast hydride transportation.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Energy Nuclear Energy and Engineering
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