Spark plasma sintering (SPS) as a method for fabricating uranium silicide (U₃Si₂) fuel forms has been investigated with a focus on the effect of processing parameters on the achieved density of the final material. The results of the study provide a means to produce varying density pellets by varying the parameters used and allow for the most time effective method for achieving a 95% theoretical density material to be determined. The dwell temperature and pressure applied were found to have the most significant effect on the density achieved, whereas temperature ramp rate was found to have minimal affect and dwell time had the most affect only initially. The interaction of U₃Si₂ with graphite, molybdenum and polyethylene glycol (used as a milling aid) has also been investigate through SPS fabrication. The results determined that graphite was a preferable die liner over molybdenum, but that a carbide layer and interaction region is formed on the periphery of the U₃Si₂. The interaction of polyethylene glycol with U₃Si₂ resulted in a high level of oxide impurities similar to U₃Si₂ manufactured via more conventional methods.

已经研究了火花等离子体烧结（SPS）作为制造铀硅化物（U ₃ Si ₂）燃料形式的方法，重点是工艺参数对最终材料的实现密度的影响。研究的结果提供了一种通过改变所用参数来生产密度不同的颗粒的方法，并为确定95％理论密度的材料提供了最省时的方法。发现所施加的停留温度和压力对所达到的密度影响最大，而温度上升速率的影响最小，而停留时间仅在开始时影响最大。U ₃ Si ₂的相互作用还通过SPS加工研究了石墨，钼和聚乙二醇（用作研磨助剂）的含量。结果确定石墨比钼是优选的模具衬里，但是在U ₃ Si ₂的外围上形成碳化物层和相互作用区域。聚乙二醇与U ₃ Si ₂的相互作用导致了高水平的氧化物杂质，类似于通过更常规的方法制造的U ₃ Si ₂。