Microstructure and elemental distribution of americium-containing MOX fuel under the short-term irradiation tests

Tanaka, Kosuke  ; Hirosawa, Takashi  ; Obayashi, Hiroshi ; Koyama, Shinichi  ; Yoshimochi, Hiroshi; Tanaka, Kenya

In order to investigate the effect of americium addition to MOX fuels on the irradiation behavior, the "Am-1" program is being conducted in JAEA. The Am-1 program consists of two short-term irradiation tests of 10-minute and 24-hour irradiations and a steady-state irradiation test. The short-term irradiation tests were successfully completed and the post irradiation examinations (PIEs) are in progress. The PIEs for Am-containing MOX fuels focused on the microstructural evolution and redistribution behavior of Am at the initial stage of irradiation and the results to date are reported.