DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNIQUES FOR ROLLING URANIUM METAL
Uranium can be rolled from cast metal or forged ingot to sheet satisfactory for cupping, deep drawing,and similar fabrication procedures by a combination of hot breakdown in the neighborhood of 600 deg C and warm finishing at 225 to 325 deg C. Sheet may also be obtained by hot rolling alone and by warm rolling alone. However, it is difficult to secure a uniform, controlled grain size by hot rolling only and warm rolling is time consuming because of the limited reduction per pass obtainable. The combination of hot and warm rolling afforded the best and most practical method to secure good quality sheet in the quantity required. The percent reduction by hot working does not appear to be critical, but at least 60 percent warm reduction is desirable to obtain complete and controlled grain size by recrystallization with high ductility and strength properties. Except for research investigation, rolling of uranium below 225 deg C is not recommended., In the temperature range considered (below 225 deg C), reduction is difficult and must be limited to one to two percent if edge cracking is to be avoided. Hot rolling of unplated uranium from the as-cast or as-forged surface is recommended, using a bath of 35 percent Li/sub 2/CO/sub 3/ plus 65 percent K/sub 2/CO/sub 3/ for a heating medium. No further preparation other than washing the salt from the hot rolled surface is required before warm rolling, and a bath of Meltemp No. 7 oil is recommended for warm rolling. Work roll speeds and temperatures are not critical, and moderate to light reductions per pass are recommended for easiest rolling and best results. Alternate cross- rolling is recommended during hot breakdown, but continuous rolling in one direction during warm finishing is satisfactory. Starting with an as-cast tensile strength averaging 60,000 psi, as-rolled sheet up to 230,000 psi has been thus produced, with elongation averaging 5 to 8 percent and tensile to yield strength ratios averaging 75 percent. Uniform, equi-axed grains are produced upon annealing, and grain sizes can be controlled by cboice of annealing temperature and time. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos Scientific Lab., N. Mex.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- NSA Number:
- NSA-14-011945
- OSTI ID:
- 4172559
- Report Number(s):
- LA-1180(Del.)
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Decl. with deletions Jan. 28, 1960. Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-60
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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ANNEALING
CASTING
CLEANING
CONTROL
CRACKS
DRAWING
DUCTILITY
EFFICIENCY
FABRICATION
FORGING
GRAIN SIZE
HIGH TEMPERATURE
HOT WORKING
LITHIUM CARBONATES
OILS
PLANNING
PLATES
POTASSIUM CARBONATES
PREPARATION
PRESSURE
RECRYSTALLIZATION
RODS
ROLLING
SALTS
SHEETS
TEMPERATURE
TENSILE PROPERTIES
URANIUM
VELOCITY
WIRES