A set of five imitation uranium oxide pellets illustrative of the type used in producing fuel elements for CANDU reactors. CANDU fuel bundles are made up of a number of fuel element, each of which contains a number of pellets. The pellets are made by pressing uranium oxide powder into small cylindrical shapes, which, depending on the type of CANDU, measure 10-13 mm in length and 8 to 13.5 mm in diameter. The pellets are then sintered at a high temperature (1600-1700 degrees C) where they acquire their strength and density. Each pellet weighs only about 10 grams but can release as much energy as 17, 000 cubic meters of natural gas. These pellets are made of a plastic material and were used for demonstration purposes only.
