SUMMARY

There are potentially a multitude of benefits to using APMT as cladding over more conventional zirconium alloys such as Zircaloy-4 as well as using U3Si2 fuel over UO2. This leaves other aspects of the cladding performance that must be investigated to get a better picture of APMT's viability as a fuel cladding. Fretting performance of APMT versus Zircaloy-4 and fuel-cladding compatibility under LOCA conditions will be investigated.
Fretting will be performed under simulated PWR conditions for load, temperature, frequency, and amplitude. Analysis will be performed to compare the APMT fretting wear coefficient against that of Zircaloy-4 after obtaining a depth profile with confocal scanning laser microscopy. Coefficient of friction evolution for APMT will also be studied to determine the changes that occur effecting the COF during the onset of fretting.
Fuel cladding compatibility between U3Si2 and APMT will be evaluated for LOCA conditions by controlling temperature, surface contact, atmosphere, time, and fuel-cladding couples. Visual and backscatter SEM analysis will be performed to determine interaction between fuel and claddings.