Analysis of Chemical and Phase Composition in Powder of U-Zr-Nb Post Hydriding-Dehydriding Process

To be used as a nuclear fuel, a fuel alloy must meet several requirements such as chemical, mechanical, physical, and neutronic compositions. The U-Zr-Nb powder is made from U-Zr-Nb ingots through a hydriding-dehydriding process and has a U composition that adjusts the weight of Zr, the composition of Zr remains at 6% while Nb varies by 2, 5, and 8 wt% (U- 6Zr-2Nb, U-6Zr-5Nb and U-6Zr-8Nb). The powder obtained is then subjected to elemental and phase composition testing. Chemical composition and impurity contain testing uses Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) and Ultraviolet (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, while phase analysis uses X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD). The purpose of the analysis of chemical composition and phase is to determine the constituent and impurity elements as well as the phases formed in the U-Zr-Nb alloy. The results of the analysis of U content in the U-6Zr-2Nb, U-6Zr-5Nb, U-6Zr-8Nb alloy powder samples were 89.307, 85.568, and 83.553 wt.%, while the Zr content analysis obtained successive results amounted to 6.220, 5.829, and 6.192. Meanwhile, in the analysis of Nb in U-6Zr-2Nb alloy powder, U-6Zr-5Nb, U-6Zr-8Nb obtained successive results amounted to 2.023, 5.04, and 8.155 wt%. The phase analysis results were obtained for each sample U-6Zr-2Nb, U-6Zr-5Nb, U-6Zr-8Nb contained U, and UO2 compounds, where the U phase was the dominant phase. The highest γU phase content is found in U-6Zr-5Nb, which is 92.108 %, and after the Nb content exceeds 5 %, the greater addition of Nb does not increase the number of U phases formed