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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

CRITICAL MASSES OF FISSIONABLE METALS AS BASIC NUCLEAR SAFETY DATA

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4331593
Data on critical configurations of fissionable metals are summarized in a form emphasizing the influence of conditions commonly of concern in nuclear safety questions. Although the bulk of the data is derived from experiments with uranium metal enriched, usually. to about 90 wt.% U/sup 235/ there are enough data for Pu and U/sup 233/ to establish some general relations about their criticality relative to U/sup 235/. The specific information includes the influences exerted upon critical mass by various relfectors, by shape of the fissionable material, by variations in U/sup 235/ concentration, by variations in material density, and by graphite and hydrogenous diluents. (auth)
Research Organization:
Los Alamos Scientific Lab., N. Mex.
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-36
NSA Number:
NSA-12-001139
OSTI ID:
4331593
Report Number(s):
LA-1958(Del.)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English