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U.S. Department of Energy
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Embrittlement of uranium and U--0.8 Ti alloy by hydrogen and water

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4364980
Hydrogen can be introduced into uranium and uranium alloys from salt bath heating, from etching and electroplating, and from corrosion. Only a few parts per million of hydrogen picked up as a result of salt bath annealing severely reduces elongation. Minimum tensile properties are obtained in the range of 1 to 2 ppM hydrogen. In the case of etching and electroplating, any hydrogen pickup is concentrated at the surface and does not degrade tensile properties. Nickel plating noticeably reduces the corrosion of uranium and accompanying hydrogen generation. However, if the plating is thin (less than 0.0l2 mm), elongation and RA are noticeably reduced in the presence of water or water vapor presumably because of preferential corrosive attack at pinholes in the deposit. Ductility and tensile strength of uranium are dependent on the testing environment and decrease in the order.: vacuum> air> water. The testing environment also has a strong influence on the properties of U - Ti alloy. Samples tested under varying conditions of moisture showed noticeable reductions in elongation and RA when compared with samples tested in vacuum. (auth)
Research Organization:
Sandia Labs., Livermore, Calif. (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AT(29-1)-789
NSA Number:
NSA-29-013130
OSTI ID:
4364980
Report Number(s):
SLL--73-5300
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English