3. Materials used for their nuclear properties
3.1 Fuels
Uranium, in oxide form, is most commonly used as fuel, usually enriched in its fissile isotope 235 U. Other uranium- or plutonium-based compounds (carbides or nitrides) could be considered, but comparison of the various physical and employment properties generally favor the choice of oxide. UO 2 was chosen because of its very high melting temperature (2,845°C), which guarantees large margins in accident situations, and for its inert nature towards water. On the other hand, its thermal conductivity is low, below 2 W · m –1 · K –1 at 1,000°C.
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Materials used for their nuclear properties
Irradiation behavior of structural steels
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