An assessment of some organic binders for the fabrication of uranium dioxide fuel pellets

Abstract

Uranium dioxide fuel pellets for water-cooled reactors are usually made by cold pressing and sintering UO2 powders with or without an organic binder. A wide range of binders was assessed and the most suitable was Cranco 253 (Poly-butylmethacrylate). Other binders such as polyvinyl alcohol, zinc stearate and Sterotex showed some promise, but further optimisation of their level and method of addition and of the debonding and sintering procedure is necessary.