Performance and Application Potential of U-50Zr Alloy in Nuclear Fuel

WANG Xingdong; YI Zhihao; TIAN Hao; DENG Qilin; SHI Xiaolong; HU Hongjun

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.06.022

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Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 18 ›› Issue (6) : 260-274. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.06.022

Refractory Metal Forming

Performance and Application Potential of U-50Zr Alloy in Nuclear Fuel

WANG Xingdong, YI Zhihao, TIAN Hao, DENG Qilin, SHI Xiaolong, HU Hongjun^*

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Abstract

With the rapid development of nuclear energy technology, the demand for high-performance nuclear fuel materials is becoming increasingly urgent. To meet the urgent demand for high-performance fuel in the development of nuclear energy and to overcome the inherent defect of low thermal conductivity of traditional UO₂ fuel, it is crucial to develop metal fuels with excellent thermal physical properties. The U-50Zr alloy, with its unique δ-UZr₂ stable phase structure, shows great potential as an advanced nuclear fuel material. The work aims to review the latest research results on the preparation methods, microstructure, mechanical properties, and thermal physical properties of this alloy. Focusing on its application scenarios in Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) for Light Water Reactors (LWRs), the advantages and disadvantages of different preparation processes, performance influencing factors, and radiation behavior characteristics were systematically analyzed and compared with those of mainstream nuclear fuel materials. The research showed that the U-50Zr alloy had excellent thermal conductivity and a low irradiation swelling rate, and could maintain good mechanical properties at high temperatures, demonstrating great potential in applications such as light water reactor (LWR) fuel. At the same time, the stability of the alloy's microstructure and phase transformation behavior had a significant impact on its performance. Through heat treatment and irradiation treatment, its performance was further optimized. Additionally, the bonding effect and influencing factors between the alloy and the cladding material, as well as the irradiation stability and safety in actual reactors were discussed. Based on the existing research, it is believed that the U-50Zr alloy has broad application prospects in the nuclear fuel field, but further research is needed to overcome existing challenges and achieve widespread application.

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U-50Zr alloy / mechanical properties / microstructural characteristics / nuclear fuel material

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WANG Xingdong, YI Zhihao, TIAN Hao, DENG Qilin, SHI Xiaolong, HU Hongjun. Performance and Application Potential of U-50Zr Alloy in Nuclear Fuel[J]. Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering. 2026, 18(6): 260-274 https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.06.022

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