High-temperature dense composite nuclear fuel material and method for producing same

Abstract

A high-temperature dense composite nuclear fuel material and a method of its production. The high-temperature dense composite nuclear fuel material comprises a radiation inert ceramic matrix in which nuclear fuel particles are distributed. The matrix is made of a powder of a silicon carbide based material. The nuclear fuel particles are particles of an oxygen-free nuclear fuel. The method of producing the high-temperature dense composite nuclear fuel material includes preparation of a mixture of nuclear fuel particles and a powder of the radiation inert ceramic matrix, molding of the mixture by pressing, and sintering of the molded mixture. The molded mixture is sintered by hot pressing. The group of inventions makes it possible to produce the high-temperature dense composite nuclear fuel material which, after annealing in vacuum at 0.63Tmelt for 10 hours, exhibits a loss in mass of not more than 2%.

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