Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

IMPROVEMENTS IN METHODS FOR MAKING URANIUM MONOCARBIDE ARTICLES

Patent ·
OSTI ID:4722408
A method is given for making UC bodies of high density from stoichiometric mixtures of U and C powders. The method comprises packing the mixture in a mold by mechanical vibration, heating the mixture to a final temperature of 1200 deg C at varying rates, and cooling the mixture. The heating program preferably is 100 deg C/hr from ambient temperature to 250 deg C, 2 hr at 250 deg C for degassing and decomposition of UH/sub 3/, 200 deg C/hr from 250 to 450 deg C, 100 deg C/hr from 450 to 750 deg C, 50 deg C/hr from 750 to 900 deg C for the BETA yields gamma transformation, 200 deg C/hr from 900 to 1200 deg C, 2 hr at 1200 deg C for completing the reaction, and cooling at 300 deg C/hr. The resulting body has a density of 7.5 g/cm/sup 3/ and may be further densified by electrothermal treatment. (D.L.C.)
Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-17-008772
OSTI ID:
4722408
Report Number(s):
GB 911957
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English