Restructuring in high burn-up UO₂ fuels: Experimental characterization by electron backscattered diffraction

This paper discusses the use of electron backscattered diffraction to characterize restructuring in a set UO 2 samples, irradiated pressurized water reactor at burn-up between 35 and 73 GWd/t U , including standard samples Cr-doped provide better understanding occurring both on periphery center high-burn-up pellets. The formation high structure was confirmed our experiment. We found associated with bubble all central area, higher irradiation temperatures when exceeded 61 regardless their initial microstructure. tended progress increasing sub-divide grains into sub-grains, orientations close that parent grains. Radial changes differences these showed temperature were not only relevant parameters involved restructuring.