FABRICATION OF TANTALUM FUEL CONTAINERS FOR THE LAMPRE I MOLTEN PLUTONIUM REACTOR

Journal Article · Mon Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1962 · Nuclear Science and Engineering (U.S.)

OSTI ID:4763574

Hanks, G S; Kirby, R S; Taub, J M

An impact extrusion procedure was developed to fabricate a tantalum container approximately 9 in. long, 0.375 in. ID, 20 to 30 mils in wall thickness, and closed at one end. A solid slug was given five impact steps to form a thick-walled cup. The cup was ironed through six stages to the final shape. The material used initially was powder metallurgy tantalum, high purity, electron-beam melted tantalum and tartalum containing 0.1 wt% tungsten was used in later work. Aluminum bronze dies and a cold beeswax lubricant were used to prevent galling between the tools and the tantalum. Thirty to forty tons were required to form the metal in the impact extrusion steps. Draw force needed in the ironing operation ranged from 600 to 3600 lb. The Ta + 0.1 wt% tungsten alloy consistently required greater impact extrusion and draw pressures than were required by the high purity metal. The investigation showed that heat treating procedures had a considerable effect on the surface finish by controlling the grain size in the metal. In general, tantalum was round to form satisfactorily in both the impact extrusion and ironing procedures. (auth)

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., N. Mex.
• NSA Number: NSA-17-001907
• OSTI ID: 4763574
• Journal Information: Nuclear Science and Engineering (U.S.), Journal Name: Nuclear Science and Engineering (U.S.) Vol. Vol: 14; ISSN NSENA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

CONTROL
DIES
ELECTRON BEAMS
EXTRUSION
FABRICATION
FRICTION
FUEL CANS
GALLING
GRAIN SIZE
HEAT TREATMENTS
IMPACT SHOCK
IMPURITIES
LAMPRE-1
LIQUID METALS
LUBRICATION
MELTING
METALS, CERAMICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS
PARAFFIN
PLUTONIUM
POWDER METALLURGY
PRESSURE
REACTORS
SURFACES
TANTALUM
TANTALUM ALLOYS
THICKNESS
TOOLS
TUNGSTEN ALLOYS