A new model of grain growth kinetics in UO2 fuel pellets. Part 2: Normal grain growth kinetics controlled by pore migration

The grain growth model presented in Part 1 is further developed and applied to the analysis of the normal grain growth kinetics controlled by pore migration during fresh UO2 thermal treatment (sintering). Additional consideration of fuel densification (i.e. porosity reduction) allows explanation of complicated grain growth kinetics characterised by non-integer growth exponents observed in recent tests.