DIRECT CASTING OF URANIUM MONOCARBIDE REACTOR FUEL ELEMENTS

Journal Article · Thu Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1960 · J. Less-Common Metals

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-5088(60)90027-8· OSTI ID:4086306

Phillips, W M; Chubb, W; Foster, E L

Procedures for preparing UC cast shapes with densities in excess of 98% of the theoretical density are described. In the first method, drop casting, uranium and crushed carbon are melted six times in a special carbon-electrode arc furnace in which the charge can be turned over after each 30-sec melting cycle. The carbon content of the 100 g UC button is homogeneous and controlled to plus or minus 0.1 wt.% carbon. This button is then cast in a second arc furnace into a graphite thimble mold. Castings up to 5/8-in. in diameter by 3 in. in length and weighing 200 g can be made. In the second technique, charges of UC up to 8 kg are skull melted under vacuum or inert gas in a carbon-electrode arc furnace. Although good-quality castings (round, square, and hexagonal in cross section) can be made and are homogeneous to plus or minus 0.1 wt.% carbon, variation of carbon contents from melt to melt of plus or minus 0.3 wt.% carbon was noted. (auth)

• Research Organization: Battelle Memorial Inst., Columbus, Ohio
• NSA Number: NSA-15-011552
• OSTI ID: 4086306
• Journal Information: J. Less-Common Metals, Journal Name: J. Less-Common Metals Vol. Vol: 2
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ABSORPTION
ATOMS
CARBON
CASTING
CHARGED PARTICLES
CHERENKOV RADIATION
CONTROL
DENSITY
DIELECTRICS
DISTRIBUTION
ELECTRIC ARCS
ELECTRONS
EMISSION
ENERGY
EXCITATION
FUEL ELEMENTS
FURNACES
INERT GASES
IONIZATION
IONS
LOSSES
MELTING
METALS, CERAMICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS
MIXING
POLARIZATION
QUANTITY RATIO
RELATIVITY THEORY
RODS
SLOWDOWN
URANIUM
URANIUM CARBIDES
VACUUM