INTERAKSI BAHAN BAKAR U3Si2-Al DENGAN KELONGSONG AlMg2 PADA ELEMEN BAKAR SILISIDA TMU 2,96 gU/cm3 PASCA IRADIASI

Abstract

INTERACTION OF U3Si2-Al FUEL ELEMENT WITH AlMg2 CLADDING ON POST IRRADIATION WITH LOADING OF URANIUM 2.96 gU/cm³. Interaction of U3Si2-Al fuel element with AlMg2 cladding on post irradiation of 2.96 gU/cm³ loading of uranium (TMU) of U3Si2-Al fuel elements plate (PEB) has been analyzed. The purpose of this research is to study the changes of microstructure of nuclear fuel elements during iradiation in reactor core. Understanding on interaction of U₃Si₂-Al fuel meat with AlMg₂ cladding onpre and post irradiation needed to study the influence of radiation on fuel elements plate. PEB U3Si2-Al with 2.96 gU/cm³ by size 10 × 10 mm were heated in DTA (Differential Thermal Analysis) furnace with temperature variation at 450, 550, 650, 900 and 1350^oC to perform pre irradiation test.Post irradiation samples were cut by size 2 × 10 mm as many as three samples taken from bottom, middle, and top of PEB in hotcell. The metallography preparation for each pieces of pre and post irradiation samples of U₃Si₂-Al fuel elements platewith 2.96 gU/cm³ weredone through steps mounting, grinding, polishing, and etching.Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM-EDS) were used to observe the pre irradiation microstructure of fuel elements U₃Si₂-Al with AlMg₂ cladding interaction, while the post irradiationmicrostructure were observed by optical microscope in hot cell. The result show the interaction of U₃Si₂ with Al matrix or AlMg₂ cladding in pre irradiation PEB U3Si2-Aloccurred agglomeration formed new compouds of U(Al,Si)x and UAlx formation. Agglomeration formation on heated pre irradiation samples were bigger while heating temperature increased. The post irradiation sampels shoed the oxide layer were formed outside the AlMg2 cladding and the inner side of caldding that contact to the fuel meat formedlight-grey U(Al,Si)xlayer at 1-3 micron of thickness.