2017 | AFC ACCOMPLISHMENTS 189 Project Description: Electron microscopy exams performed on this sample are a continuation of the postirradiation examination (PIE) of FUTURIX-FTA.This irradiation test was performed at the Phénix Reactor in France which was a fast spectrum sodium cooled reactor. The compositions irradiated in Phénix were also irradiated in the AdvancedTest Reactor (ATR) as part of the AFC-1 irradiation test.These two irradiation tests are designed, in part, to show that fast reactor fuel performance can be explored in the absence of fast spectrum test reactor testing by utilizing a Cd-shrouded pseudo-fast spectrum irradiation position in the ATR.The comparing the microstructure of this fuel to sister AFC-1 tests is part of this comparison.There are several key microstructure properties that can be evaluated with the SEM.The redistribution of Zr in the fuel pin was evaluated and found to exist in this system, but the change in local Zr concentration was not as extreme as is seen historically in U-10Zr and U-20-10Zr fuel.The nature and extent of fuel cladding chemical interaction if any was also evaluated in this exam. The performance of the composition irradiated in FUTUIRX-FTA DOE1 is also of interest as it is quite unique especially because of the high Pu content and minor actinide (Np,Am) additions. Minor Actinides and Pu in spent nuclear fuel are key contributors to the radiotoxicity of long-term geological repositories. Fast spectrum reactor fuels such as the compositions irradiated in FUTURIX-FTA could be used to destroy Pu and minor actinides improving the safety of a geological repository. Because of this goal, it is important to know if the minor actinides have adversely impacted fuel performance perhaps by enhancing fuel cladding chemical interaction or by creating a local phase that has a lower melting temperature reducing the margin to melt in a portion of the fuel. Accomplishments: Scanning electron microscopy was performed on a full cross section from FUTURIX-FTA DOE1.This sample presented a challenge for the SEM due to the significant amount of radioactivity in the sample.Although the sample came out of the reactor in 2009, the dose rates from the sample were quite high for personnel loading the instrument.There was also a substantial amount of internal conversion x-rays being emitted from the sample that result from alpha decay in the sample.This created significant deadtime in the EDS detector and lengthened the time needed to collect EDS spectra.The internal conversion x-rays also limited the usefulness of the characteristic L line x-rays of the major constituents. In spite of these challenges it was possible to collect Scanning electron microscopy has been performed on a full cross section of irradiated fuel that contains minor actinides.