Grain Boundary Corrosion and Alteration Phase Formation during the Oxidative Dissolution of UO₂ Pellets

Abstract

The alteration behavior of UO2 pellets following their reaction under unsaturated drip-test conditions, at 90 °C, for time periods of up to 10 years has been examined by solid phase and leachate analyses. Sample reactions were characterized by preferential dissolution of grain boundaries between the original press-sintered UO2 granules comprising the samples, development of a polygonal network of open channels along the intergrain boundaries, and spallation of surface granules that had undergone severe grain boundary corrosion. The development of a dense mat of alteration phases after two years of reaction trapped loose granules, resulting in reduced rates of particulate uranium release. The paragenetic sequence of alteration phases that formed on the present samples was similar to that observed in surficial weathering zones of natural uraninite (UO2) deposits, with alkali and alkaline earth uranyl silicates representing the long-term solubility-limiting phases for uranium in both systems.

Meeting Name

1996 MRS Fall Meeting (1996: Dec. 2-6, Boston, MA)

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Corrosion; Dissolution; Grain Boundaries; Granular Materials; Leaching; Oxidation; Sintering; Leachate Analysis; Press Sintering; Uranium Dioxide

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0272-9172

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 1997 Materials Research Society (MRS), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 1997

Link to Full Text

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