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Gamma Phase Stability in U–Mo Alloys

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Abstract

In U–Mo alloy system, it is important to stabilize the high temperature γ-phase (bcc) up to the room temperature in order to make the alloys swelling resistant and stable under irradiation environment. In general, at around 560 °C, the γ-phase of U–Mo alloys eutectoidally decomposes into α-U and U2Mo (commonly known as γ′ phase), but the decomposition of the γ-phase can be kinetically retarded or supressed by increasing Mo concentration in U–Mo alloys. The present work, however, shows relatively higher γ-phase stability in dilute off-eutectoid alloys towards the completion of the decomposition process of the γ-phase. The enhanced impedance towards the γ-phase decomposition has been studied systematically and has been rationalised based on extending the phase boundaries of the equilibrium phase diagram. For this Purpose, the decomposition of the γ-phase was studied in the three binary alloys containing 8, 9 and 10% Mo by ageing them at 350 °C and 500 °C. This study has shown that, in contrast to the general understanding that the γ-stabilizing effect monotonically increases with Mo content, the stabilizing effect is best realised in the relatively dilute U-8Mo alloy. These findings are rationalized in terms of the combination of the kinetic and thermodynamic driving force for the partitioning of Mo in forming γ′ Phase.

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Acknowledgements

The authors express their deep gratitude and thanks to Mr. R. Keswani, Head, MFD and Mr. Vivek Bhasin, Director, Nuclear Fuels Group, BARC for their strong support, advice, help in taking up this project and also for valuable suggestions at various stages of the experimental investigation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Metallic Fuels Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, India

    R. Rakesh, Arihant Jain & V. P. Sinha

  2. Materials Science Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, India

    R. Tewari

  3. Homi Bhabha National Institute, BARC Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India

    R. Rakesh & R. Tewari

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  1. R. Rakesh
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  2. Arihant Jain
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Correspondence to R. Rakesh.

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Rakesh, R., Jain, A., Sinha, V.P. et al. Gamma Phase Stability in U–Mo Alloys. Trans Indian Inst Met 76, 1997–2007 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12666-023-02911-7

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