Aluminum-U{sub 3}Si{sub 2} interdiffusion and its implications for the performance of highly loaded fuel operating at higher temperatures and fission rates

Recent irradiation tests of U{sub 3}Si-Al dispersion fuel have shown performance limitations of this fuel when high volume fractions of U{sub 3}Si{sub 2} operate at high temperatures and high fission rates. This potential problem is associated with high rates of Al-U{sub 3}Si{sub 2} interdiffusion that may lead to complete consumption of matrix aluminum and the formation of excessive porosity