Deformation Strengthening of Uranium and Dilute Uranium Alloys

Eckelmeyer, Kenneth H.; Dudder, Gordon B.; Chapman, Lloyd R.; Ludtka, Gerard M.; O'Brien, Mary Kathleen

doi:10.1016/j.jnucmat.2023.154825

Deformation Strengthening of Uranium and Dilute Uranium Alloys

Journal Article · Mon Nov 20 00:00:00 EST 2023 · Journal of Nuclear Materials

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2023.154825· OSTI ID:2222629

Eckelmeyer, Kenneth H. ^[1]; ^[2]; Chapman, Lloyd R. ^[3]; ^[3]; ^[4]

Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant (Y-12), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

The strength and ductility of uranium and dilute uranium alloys can be substantially improved by deformation strengthening. The yield strength of unalloyed uranium can be nearly doubled by rolling in the vicinity of 250°C. The embrittling effect of hydrogen is also overcome, eliminating the need for vacuum outgassing to obtain good ductility. Significant differences in longitudinal versus transverse tensile properties result, in part, from texture introduced by unidirectional rolling. Warm rolling of U-2.3%Nb results in both traditional strain hardening and a significant Bauschinger effect, resulting in differences between tensile and compressive yield strength. A similar combination of strain hardening and Bauschinger effect also occurs in deformation strengthened U-0.75%Ti. Warm rolling of U-0.75%Ti results in significantly better combinations of tensile yield strength and ductility than can be obtained by conventional age hardening. Warm rolling prior to aging also reduces the loss of ductility which typically accompanies conventional age hardening. Here, an approach is developed in which the effects of prior deformation on tensile and compressive yield strengths are analyzed in terms of texture, long-range dislocation, and Bauschinger effects. The Bauschinger effect is shown to vary in sign with the type of deformation, thus providing opportunities to tailor tensile and compressive properties.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

Grant/Contract Number:: 89233218CNA000001

OSTI ID:: 2222629

Report Number(s):: LA-UR--23-26516

Journal Information:: Journal of Nuclear Materials, Journal Name: Journal of Nuclear Materials Vol. 589; ISSN 0022-3115

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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