Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a nuclear fuel or poison which includes heating particulate nuclear fuel or poison to between about 800* C. and 1400* C., contacting the heated material with an acetylene containing atmosphere having an acetylene partial pressure of at least about 0.65 atmosphere to deposit a spongy pyrolytic carbon coating on the particles followed by depositing a dense exterior fission products retentive coating on the spongy carbon coating.