Spark Plasma Sintering at JRC-ITU: an overview of the ongoing activities

Abstract

Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) is an electric field assisted technique, currently being widely investigated in industrial and academic ceramic materials research communities. It allows fast and low temperature material densification and thus enables the synthesis of materials with unique microstructures and properties. Very recently JRC-ITU integrated a unique downscaled version of a SPS device in a glovebox, opening a new realm of opportunities for the synthesis of ceramics bearing transuranic elements. First results on the sintering of actinide dioxides will be presented along with a study on the incorporation of elements and compounds, hitherto impossible due to their high vapour pressure or low melting points. An outlook of the future developments, with a focus on safety of nuclear fuels, will be presented.JRC.E.4-Nuclear Fuel Safet