Preparation and characterization of PuN pellets containing ZrN and TiN

PuN pellets containing inert matrix nitrides such as ZrN and TiN were prepared and characterized. Formation of (Pu,Zr)N solid solution was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis and metallographic examination of the dense pellets. On the other hand, the pellets were constituted by two phases when PuN was heated with TiN. The dissolved amount of TiN was negligibly small. Several thousands ppm of oxygen was found in both samples owing to the oxidation of ZrN and TiN powders.