The thermal conductivities of(U0.8-xCe0.2Mx)O-2 [M: Nd (0 less than or equa
l to x less than or equal to 0.13) or Zr (0 less than or equal to x less th
an or equal to 0.06)] were evaluated from the thermal diffusivity measured
by the laser Rash method. The thermal conductivities of (U0.8-xCe0.2Mx)O-2
indicated a systematic decrease with increasing M-atom content at all tempe
ratures from 200 to 1500 K. In addition, the thermal conductivities of all
samples decreased with increasing temperature up to about 1000 K. Up to abo
ut 1000 K, the thermal conductivity of (U0.8-xCe0.2Mx)O-2 could be expresse
d as a function of M-element content by the phonon conduction equation. (C)
2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.