Effects of UO₂ or ThO₂ Additions on the Properties of ZrO₂

Abstract

UO₂ or ThO₂ was added to ZrO₂ and the effects of these additional components were studied by the thermal expansion curves. UO₂ was effective for the stabilization of zirconia, thus the sample containing 30% of UO₂ and fired at 1700°C for 1hr. in the gas furnace, did not show any irregular thermal expansion or contracion. But the sample containing 50% of ThO₂ showed an irregular thermal expansion and contraction.
Several properties of the UO₂-containing samples of Zirconia are given.