PHYSICAL METALLURGY AND PROPERTIES OF ZIRCONIUM-URANIUM ALLOYS
The constitution and transformation kinetic behavior of uranium- zirconium alloys are presented. The system is characterized by complete solid solution between gamma uranium and beta zirconium at elevated temperatures and by the intermediate hexagonal epsilon phase which forms from this solution at about 600 deg C and contains approximately 50 wt.% uranium. Oxygen and nitrogen have a pronounced effect on alloy constitution, stabilizing the alpha-zirconium phase, and restricting tbe epsilon and beta phase regions. The high-temperature beta phase can be retained in alloys containing 20 to 70 wt. % uranium by quenching, the beta phase decomposing by a nucleation and growth process to epsilon. Physical, mechanical, and corrosion property dutu are summarized in tabular and graphic form and are related to alloy constitution and transformation kinetic behavior. The irradiation behevior of uraniumzirconium alloys is reviewed. The mechanicaly strength is found to be dependent not only upon composition but also upon the type, amount, and distribution of pheses in tbe microstructure. The control of microstrunture througth heat treatment is of primary importance in controlling strength since the decomposition products of tbe high-temperature beta phase are particularly sensitive to uranium content. The aqueous corrosion behavior is found to be influenced by water temperatures, amount and distribntion of phases, oxygen content, and cooling rate from the beta phase region. The irradiation behavior appears to be relatively insensitive to microstructure but is markedly depedent on irradiation temperature. Low volume changes are exhibited by alloys containing up to 80 wt.% uranium when irradiated at low temperatures. Irradiations in excess of 600 deg C, at beta phase temperatures, are found to produce volume increases as high as 50% per 1 at.% burnup. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Battelle Memorial Inst., Columbus, Ohio; Westinghouse Electric Corp. Bettis Atomic Power Div., Pittsburgh
- NSA Number:
- NSA-12-014835
- OSTI ID:
- 4306479
- Report Number(s):
- A/CONF.15/P/1785
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
CONTROL-- COOLING-- CORROSION-- CRYSTALLIZATION-- DECOMPOSITION-- DIAGRAMS-- DISTRIBUTION-- EXPANSION-- HEAT TREATMENTS-- IRRADIATION-- MECHANICAL PROPERTIES-- METALLOGRAPHY-- NITROGEN-- NUCLEATE BOILING- - OXYGEN-- PHASE DIAGRAMS-- REACTION KINETICS-- SOLID SOLUTIONS-- TABLES-- TENSILE PROPERTIES-- URANIUM ALLOYS-- ZIRCONIUM ALLOYS
MINERALOGY, METALLURGY, AND CERAMICS