Physical and mechanical metallurgy of uranium and uranium alloys

Journal Article · Thu Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1998 · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society

OSTI ID:298274

Eckelmeyer, K H ^[1]

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1. Sandia National Labs. (United States)

Engineering disadvantages of unalloyed uranium include relatively low strength, low ductility, and poor oxidation and corrosion resistance. As-cast uranium typically exhibits very large grains that cause nonuniform deformation and low tensile ductility. Uranium is often alloyed to improve its corrosion resistance and mechanical properties. Titanium is most commonly used to increase strength; niobium and molybdenum, to increase oxidation and corrosion resistance; and vanadium, to refine alpha grain size in castings. Under equilibrium conditions these elements are extensively soluble in the high-temperature gamma phase, slightly soluble in the intermediate temperature beta phase, and essentially insoluble in the low-temperature alpha phase. Uranium alloys are vacuum solution heat treated in the gamma range to dissolve the alloying elements and remove hydrogen. The subsequent microstructures and properties are determined by the cooling rate from the solution treatment temperature. Oxidation and corrosion resistance increases with increasing the amount of alloy in solid solution. As a result, alloys such as U-6%Nb and U-10%Mo are often used in applications requiring good corrosion resistance.

• OSTI ID: 298274
• Report Number(s): CONF-981106--
• Journal Information: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society, Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society Vol. 79; ISSN 0003-018X; ISSN TANSAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CORROSION RESISTANCE
CRYSTAL-PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
HEAT TREATMENTS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MICROSTRUCTURE
MOLYBDENUM ALLOYS
NIOBIUM ALLOYS
OXIDATION
TITANIUM ALLOYS
URANIUM
URANIUM BASE ALLOYS