Report a Safety Concern
Search

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is in the process of rescinding or revising guidance and policies posted on this webpage in accordance with Executive Order 14151 Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing, and Executive Order 14168 Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government. In the interim, any previously issued diversity, equity, inclusion, or gender-related guidance on this webpage should be considered rescinded that is inconsistent with these Executive Orders.

Home NRC Library Basic References Glossary

Uranium fuel fabrication facility

A facility that converts enriched uranium hexafluoride (UF6) into fuel for commercial light-water power reactors, research and test reactors, and other nuclear reactors. The UF6, in solid form in containers, is heated to a gaseous form and then chemically processed to form uranium dioxide (UO2) powder. This powder is then processed into ceramic pellets and loaded into metal tubes, which are subsequently bundled into fuel assemblies. Fabrication also can involve mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel, which contains plutonium oxide mixed with either natural or depleted uranium oxide, in ceramic pellet form. For related information, see Fuel Fabrication.

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Tuesday, March 09, 2021