nuclear fuel

views updated

nuclear fuel Various chemical and physical forms of uranium and plutonium used in nuclear reactors. Fluid fuels are required in homogeneous reactors; heterogeneous reactors use various forms of fuels – pure metals or alloys, as well as oxides or carbides. The fuel must have a high thermal conductivity, be resistant to radiation damage and be easy to fabricate.

About this article

nuclear fuel

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article