Synthesis and characterisation of high ceramic fraction brannerite (UTi2O6) glass-ceramic composites

Brannerite, UTi2O6, glass-ceramic composites have been prepared, using UO2 and TiO2 as the ceramic phase precursors. A range of cold-press and sinter samples with varying glass:ceramic ratios have been prepared under argon at 1200 °C to investigate the effect of glass content on formation of brannerite. Ceramic brannerite formed well in all compositions, even at low (10% by weight) glass fractions, with UO2 as a minor product. Three further brannerite glass-ceramics have been prepared by hot isostatic pressing to investigate the compatibility of this system to HIPing. The samples HIPed at 1200 °C form brannerite, with UO2 as a minor phase with slightly higher abundance than in the cold-press and sinter samples