AQUEOUS CORROSION OF ALUMINUM-PLUTONIUM ALLOYS
Technical Report
·
OSTI ID:4075584
An aluminum-plutonium alloy with high temperature aqueous corrosion resistance is required for spike enrichment of the Plutonium Recycle Test Reactor (PRTR). A decision was made to investigate Al-Ni-Pu alloys and Al-Si-Pu alloys with lower silicon content in search for a more satisfactory corrosion resistant alloy than eutectic AlSi-Pu. The preparation, fabrication, and testing of these alloys are described. Five Al-Pu alloys had geod high-temperature aqueous corrosion resistance when tested in a static autoclave for 24 hr at 350 deg C and 2500 psi. The compositions are given. Corrosion testing was continued to 100 hr on some of the alloys, which established corrosion rates of 2 mils per month. The corrosion rates of the latter three alloys did not differ substantially, so that the addition of nickel above 2% is unnecessary. The Al-1.3 wt.% Ni-1 wt.% Si-2 wt.% Pu alloy was structure sensitive and required a fine uniform dispersion of the second phase in order to obtain consistent corrosion resistance. Based on the lower nickel and silicon contents the Al-Ni-Si-Pu quaternary alloy was selected for the PRTR spike charge. Over 2000 lb of this alloy were cast for fabrication into fuel elements for physics tests. However, difficulties in chemically reprocessing the fuel with this level of silicon content precluded irradiation. Therefore, for power operation of the PRTR, the alloy composition selected was Al-2 wt.% Ni-1.8 wt.% Pu (Si was held to 0.3 max.). One thousand pounds of this alloy have been cast for fuel element fabrication. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- General Electric Co. Hanford Atomic Products Operation, Richland, Wash.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AT(45-1)-1350
- NSA Number:
- NSA-15-006341
- OSTI ID:
- 4075584
- Report Number(s):
- HW-67098
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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