Ceramics & glasses · Oxide ceramics
Uranium dioxide nuclear fuel ceramic
The standard ceramic fuel for most commercial light-water reactors, combining chemical stability, high melting point and extensive irradiation experience.
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01
Overview
- Material class
- Ceramics & glasses
- Category
- Oxide ceramics
- Family
- Nuclear Fuel Ceramic
- Product forms
- Sintered component, Plate/substrate (grade dependent)
Composition
| Constituent | Min | Max | Typical | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UO2 | Stoichiometric / controlled O:M ratio |
02
Properties and conditions
Engineering properties
| Property | Value | Unit | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | ~10.5–10.97 | g/cm³ | theoretical / pellet dependent |
| Melting point | ~2865 | °C | Representative; verify product form and condition |
| Thermal conductivity | low; decreases with temperature | burnup dependent | |
| Crystal structure | fluorite | stoichiometry dependent | |
| Fissile enrichment | application specific | regulated fuel specification | |
| Service role | fuel pellet | LWR and other reactors |
Conditions
Dense technical reference
Purity, porosity, grain size and processing route must be stated.
03
Processing and use
Processing
- Product form, thermal history and manufacturing route materially affect performance.
Applications
- LWR fuel pellets
- Research-reactor fuel forms
- Fuel-cycle studies
Selection considerations
- Fuel enrichment, isotopic content and pellet specification are regulated and outside general engineering procurement.
- Thermal conductivity and fission-gas behaviour evolve with burnup.
04
Standards and related materials
Standards and designations
| System | Designation | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclear fuel specification | UO2 pellet | utility/vendor/regulator controlled |
05
Sources and context
Sources
- IAEA nuclear fuel technology referencesExisting reference
- World Nuclear Association reactor fuel overviewExisting reference
- U.S. Department of Energy critical materials programStrategic reference
- U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission materials resourcesApplication reference
Confirm the applicable specification, product form and condition before using values for design or procurement.
Supply and sustainability
Availability and lead time depend on grade, product form, certification and regional supply chain.
Segregated recovery and closed-loop recycling improve material efficiency where practical.
Strategic context
Critical inputs: Uranium
Basis: US DOE Critical Materials List and assessment