Thermal properties of U–Mo alloys irradiated to moderate burnup and power

A variety of physical and thermal property measurements as a function of temperature and fission density were performed on irradiated U–Mo alloy monolithic fuel samples with a Zr diffusion barrier and clad in aluminum alloy 6061. The U–Mo alloy density, thermal diffusivity, and thermal conductivity are strongly influenced by increasing burnup, mainly as the result of irradiation induced recrystallization and fission gas bubble formation and coalescence. U–Mo chemistry, specifically Mo content, and specific heat capacity was not as sensitive to increasing burnup. Measurements indicated that thermal conductivity of the U–Mo alloy decreased approximately 30% for a fission density of 3.30 � 10 21 fissions cm � 3