Radiation effects in actinide host phases
Abstract
Three crystalline ceramic materials, which occur as host phases for the long-lived actinides in many nuclear waste formulations, were doped with Cm-244, and the effects of self-radiation damage from alpha decay on microstructure and physical properties were investigated. The irradiation-induced microstructure consisted of individual amorphous tracks from both the alpha-recoil particles and the spontaneous fission fragments. The eventual overlap of the tracks at higher doses leads to a completed amorphous state. This radiation-induced amorphization process results in a stored energy of approx. 125 J/g, 5 to 10% swelling, factor of 10 to 50 increase in leachability (aqueous dissolution), and in increase in fracture toughness.
- Publication:
-
Presented at the International Conference on Radiation Effects in Insulators
- Pub Date:
- May 1985
- Bibcode:
- 1985rei..conf.....W
- Keywords:
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- Amorphous Materials;
- Ceramics;
- Microstructure;
- Radiation Effects;
- Radioactive Wastes;
- Alpha Decay;
- Curium 244;
- Fracture Strength;
- Leaching;
- Swelling;
- Toughness;
- Nuclear and High-Energy Physics