Sound velocity and elastic moduli in $alpha$-plutonium at pressures to 50 KBAR

Conference · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1973

OSTI ID:4161454

Merz, M D; Hammer, J H; Kjarmo, H E

The elastic moduli, bulk modulus, and shear modulus were measured in polycrystalline $alpha$-plutonium at pressures to 50 Kbar. An ultrasonic technique enabled measurement of both longitudinal and shear wave velocities in a girdled-piston high pressure cell. The average pressure derivatives were 14.3 and 4.3 m/s/kbar for the longitudinal and shear velocities, respectively. Bulk and shear moduli were calculated from the sound velocity data. The average pressure derivatives for the moduli were 14 and 3.5, respectively. Poisson's ratio was calculated directly from the ratio of longitudinal and shear velocities and increased from 0.17 at atmospheric pressure to 0.28 at 50 kbar. (auth)

• Research Organization: Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, Wash. (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AT(45-1)-1830
• NSA Number: NSA-33-001236
• OSTI ID: 4161454
• Report Number(s): BNWL-SA--5326; CONF-750915--19
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*PLUTONIUM-ALPHA-- ELASTICITY
360103* --Materials--Metals & Alloys--Mechanical Properties
N50230* --Metals
Ceramics
& Other Materials--Metals & Alloys--Properties
Structure & Phase Studies
POISSON RATIO
POLYCRYSTALS
PRESSURE DEPENDENCE
SHEAR
SOUND WAVES
VELOCITY
VERY HIGH PRESSURE