COMPOSITE MATERIAL OF NUCLEAR FUEL AND ITS PRODUCTION PROCESS Russian patent published in 2001 - IPC

FIELD: composite materials for nuclear fuel. SUBSTANCE: material has radiation-inert ceramic matrix wherein nuclear fuel particles are distributed with gap of 1 to 10 microns provided between particles and matrix. Coefficient of thermal expansion of matrix is lower than that of nuclear fuel particles. Matrix may be made of spinel, magnesium oxide, or yttrium oxide. Nuclear fuel particles are those of UO₂ oxide or of UO₂ base mixture. Material production process includes mixing of nuclear fuel precursor particles with material powder, molding of mixture, and sintering of molded mixture in environment of reducing agent. Nuclear fuel precursor material is U₃O₈ or UO₂-U₃O₈. EFFECT: enhanced cracking resistance and ability of holding volatile fissionable products of matrix. 18 cl, 2 dwg