HYDROGEN ABSORPTION PROPERTIES OF U-TH-TI-ZR ALLOYS

The hydrogen absorption properties of U-Th-Ti-Zr alloys were investiga ted for the purpose of developing a new hydride nuclear fuel. The allo y specimens consisted of two phases before hydrogenation, namely a Th phase and a U-Ti-Zr phase. The phases in the hydrogenated alloys depen ded strongly on their history. Upon hydrogenation at low hydrogen pres sure above 1073 K, the ThZr2H6 phase grew fairly well but not enough o wing to the formation of the stable ternary hydride in the Ti-Zr-H sys tem. This also disturbed the formation of UTi2H5. Although a homogeneo us phase was consequently not achieved, hydrides without disintegratio n were obtained.