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AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Energy Research and Development Administration
InventorFranklin D. McCuaig
Estimating the term…
A nuclear reactor fuel alloy consists essentially of from slightly greater than 7 to about 4 w/o zirconium, balance plutonium, and is characterized in that the alloy is castable and is rollable to thin foils. A preferred embodiment of about 7 w/o zirconium, balance plutonium, has a melting point substantially above the melting point of plutonium, is rollable to foils as thin as 0.0005 inch thick, and is compatible with cladding material when repeatedly cycled to temperatures above 650.degree. C. Neutron reflux densities across a reactor core can be determined with a high-temperature activation-measurement foil which consists of a fuel alloy foil core sandwiched and sealed between two cladding material jackets, the fuel alloy foil core being a 7 w/o zirconium, plutonium foil which is from 0.005 to 0.0005 inch thick.
A nuclear reactor fuel alloy consisting essentially of 7 weight percent zirconium, balance plutonium, characterized in that said alloy is castable, is rollable to thin foils as thin as 0.0005 inch thick, and is compatible with stainless steel cladding.
A nuclear reactor fuel alloy foil which is compatible with stainless steel cladding material and which is from 0.005 to 0.0005 inch thick consisting essentially of 7 weight percent zirconium, balance plutonium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.