SOME INVESTIGATIONS ON THE URANIUM-THORIUM-CARBON SYSTEM

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1960 · J. Inorg. & Nuclear Chem

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-1902(60)80234-5· OSTI ID:4154967

Brett, N; Law, D; Livey, D T

The dicarbides of uranium and thorium were prepared by sintering mixtures of the elemental powders at 1500 and 1800 deg C, respectively. Uranium dicarbide is stable in air at room temperature; in pellet form as prepared it breaks down in dry air between 200 and 300 deg C and in moist argon between 300 and 400 deg C. Thorium dicarbide decomposes rapidly at room temperature by reaction with atmospheric moisture. The system UC/sub 2/-ThC/sub 2/ was investigated by preparation of fused specimens of mixed crystals and examination of these by x ray and by microscope. The evidence from both sources shows that the system is one of complete solid solubility although the middle ranges of composition are poorly crystalline. Stability tests on mixed crystals of dicarbides show tbat they are stable to between 200 and 400 deg C in dry oxygen, the temperature of . oxidation increasing from approximately 200 deg C at the ThC/sub 2/ end of the system to approximately 400 deg C at the UC/sub 2/ end. 0xidation forms mixed crystals of UO/sub 2/ - ThO/sub 2/ cubic solid anlution. Some information is given on uranium--thorium--carbon compacts containing principally the monocarbides. X-ray examination indicates that this system also is one of complete solid mixed crystals of dicarbides show that they are stable to between 200 and 400 deg C in dry oxygen, the temperature of . onidation increasing from approximately 200 deg C at the ThC/sub 2/ end of the system to approximately 400 deg C at the UC/sub 2/ end. Oxidation forms mixed crystals of UO/sub 2/ - ThO/sub 2/ cubic solid anlution. Some information is given on uranium--thorium--carbon compacts containing principally the monocarbides. X-ray examination indicates that this system also is one of complete solid solubility. (auth)

• Research Organization: Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, Berks, Eng.
• NSA Number: NSA-14-016008
• OSTI ID: 4154967
• Journal Information: J. Inorg. & Nuclear Chem, Vol. Vol: 13; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-60
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

METALS, CERAMICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS
AIR
ARGON
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMPACTING
CRYSTALS
DECOMPOSITION
HIGH TEMPERATURE
HUMIDITY
INERT GASES
LIQUID METALS
MICROSCOPY
MIXING
OXYGEN
PELLETS
PHASE DIAGRAMS
POWDERS
PREPARATION
SINTERING
SOLID SOLUTIONS
STABILITY
TEMPERATURE
THORIUM CARBIDES
URANIUM CARBIDES
X RADIATION