SEGREGATION IN URANIUM-ALUMINUM ALLOYS AND ITS EFFECT ON THE FUEL LOADING OF ALUMINUM-BASE FUEL ELEMENTS
Techniques were devised for quantitatively determining the accuracy of potentiometric uranium analyses in uranium-aluminum alloys containing up to 55 wt. % U and for evaluatin; the segregation existing in uraniumaluminum alloys containing as low as 7 wt. % U and as high as 50 wt. % U. A theory for predicting the mode of uranium segrcgation in these alloys was postulated. On the basis of the observed uranium segregation, the uranium content of a hypothetical fuel element was predicted by means of several sampling schemes. Dip sampling of the melt was demonstrated to be satisfactory for alloys containing 7 to 19 wt. % U. However, this technique was not considered suitable for alloys containiog 40 to 50 wt. % U, because a significant number of samples is required from the casting or the wrought alloy to adequately represent the fuel content. (auth) An accurate and rapid method for the volumetric determination of uranium has been developed for the ranges 0.3% to 90% uranium. The existing mercury cathode deposition equipment has been modified for the rapid removal of metallic impurities and for the electrolytic reduction of the uranium. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., Tenn.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-26
- NSA Number:
- NSA-12-015356
- OSTI ID:
- 4305441
- Report Number(s):
- ORNL-2476
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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