IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF CARBIDE

Patent · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1964

OSTI ID:4015111

Isaacs, J W; Palfreyman, M

A process is given for the production of a mixed PuC-UC alloy which may be used as fuel for fast reactors. The process comprises mixing together finely ground oxide-free U powder (<50 mu ), ultra-fine graphite powder (<1 mu ), and coarse PuC powder (250 to 425 mu ), cold-compacting the mixture, and rapidly heating the mixture in a furnace to a temperature between 1000 and 1300 deg C. The heat of reaction of U with graphite causes the temperature of the compact to rise above 1125 deg C, so that sintering of the mixed carbides occurs. The furnace atmosphere is either vacuum or argon with less than 10 ppm oxygen. (D.L.C.)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-18-020508
• OSTI ID: 4015111
• Report Number(s): GB 954821
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ARGON
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
FAST NEUTRONS
FUELS
FURNACES
GRAIN SIZE
GRAPHITE
HEATING
HIGH TEMPERATURE
METALS, CERAMICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS
MIXING
PLUTONIUM CARBIDES
PREPARATION
REACTORS
SINTERING
SPECIFIC HEAT
URANIUM
URANIUM CARBIDES
VACUUM