Abstract
Defect equilibrium equations were modelled, and the relations of P $o_2$, venus x were derived using the mass action law. The dominant defect species active in a specified region were determined by fitting the curve of experimental data to the calculated curve of log P $o_2$, versus log x for each theoretical model. The calculated curve for (2:1:2) and (Er')$^{x}$ in the hyperstoichiometric $U_{1-y}$E $r_{y}$ $O_{2＋x}$ and that for (2Er'quot;)$^{x}$ $_{dec}$ in the hypostoichiometric $U_{1-y}$E $r_{y}$ $O_{2－x}$ are in good agreement with the present experimental results. The sintering behavior of Er-doped U $O_2$ is observed with erbium content in oxidizing and reducing atmospheres. For sintering in oxidizing atmosphere, sintered density decreases as increasing y in $U_{1-y}$E $r_{y}$ $O_{2＋x}$. However, in hydrogen atmosphere, sintered density decreases as increasing y at lower erbium content but the density increases again above y=0.10. In oxidizing sintering conditions, the formation of (Er'U')$^{x}$ clusters hinders the diffusion of cations, and hence the sinterability of Er-doped U $O_2$ decreases. In reducing atmosphere of Er-doped U $O_2$ for higher Er concent, the oxygen vacancies make (Er')$^{x}$ cluster decompose by charge compensation and the concentration of mobile cations increases, thereby improving the sinterability.ntration of mobile cations increases, thereby improving the sinterability.ability.