Development of a prototype Zirconium Diboride sputtering target (ZrB2) for
the manufacture of nuclear fuel with burnable absorber coatings.
Objectives
The objective of this project is to identify and develop methods of manufacture and to produce prototypes
of Zirconium Diboride sputtering targets (naturally enriched boron will be used to produce these
prototypes, but the eventual objective is to manufacture targets made with enriched boron).
Summary
This project, based in the Siberian Chemical Kombinat (SCK), located in the Closed Nuclear City of
Seversk, is to develop the technology required to enable the Kombinat to manufacture a key intermediate
in the production of enhanced-performance nuclear fuel for power reactors. The ultimate objective of
this work is to enable manufacturers of nuclear fuel to provide their customers with a product which
uses fuel more efficiently. CNCP is funding an initial research and development programme aimed at
assessing various technical options for the manufacture of ZrB2 targets at SCK and providing the data
for the full technical and economic assessment of a follow-on project to construct a plant at SCK to
address this market.
The research is required to permit the manufacture of zirconium diboride powder
which meets quality requirements (levels of impurities, composition) and which has a composition that
allows it to be sintered efficiently. Development of a sintering technique which will allow the
manufacturer to achieve the required target density is also a part of the research programme. If
successful, the results of this work could benefit nuclear power plants in the US, Great Britain,
Russia and elsewhere.
Cost
Total cost of the project is £301,660. The DTI is funding a contribution of £180,000.
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