Development of LaYO3 as a reaction-preventing material for metal fuel casting.

This study investigates the potential of LaYO 3 as a crucible material to prevent interactions between a U-10 wt% Zr melt containing highly reactive lanthanide elements and the substrate during casting. The stability of LaYO 3 phases at casting temperature was evaluated based on reaction phenomenon, chemical and physical properties. Sintered pellets were fabricated using both La 2 O 3 and Y 2 O 3 powders and structure of bodies were investigated using X-ray diffraction. The reaction behaviors of U Zr and U-Zr-RE melts with the LaYO 3 and Y 2 O 3 specimens were investigated using sessile drop method, and microstructures of the interfaces were studied using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The thermodynamics of LaYO 3 were analyzed to demonstrate its reaction-preventing effect. Results indicate that LaYO 3 is more effective than Y 2 O 3 in reducing the interaction between the substrate and the melt, and it significantly decreases the partial reduction of the reaction-preventing layer. These findings suggest that LaYO 3 has the potential to be an effective crucible material for preventing interactions during casting. • A novel reaction-preventing material, LaYO 3 , has been developed for metal fuel casting applications. • LaYO 3 was fabricated using sintering, resulting in a perovskite structure that prevents reactions during casting. • The LaYO 3 enhanced the reaction-preventing effect more than the conventional material Y 2 O 3. • The interaction behavior of both LaYO 3 and Y 2 O 3 was investigated using sessile drop tests and thermodynamic analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]