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

PROPERTIES OF URANIUM CARBIDES

Journal Article · · American Ceramic Society Bulletin (U.S.)
OSTI ID:4767645
Properties of uranium carbides are reviewed and brought up to date. Photographs and photomicrographs of uranium carbides fabricated by melting and casting techniques and by powder metallurgy techniques are presented. Recent data confirm that uranium monocarbide has metallic conductivity (a thermal conductivity of approximately 0.055 cal/sec-cm- deg C and a resistivity of approximately 35 microhm-cm) and that it has the strength and hardness of ionic materials (a compressive strength of 51000 psi, a transverse rupture strength of 10000 psi, and a hardness of 700 kg/mm/sup 2/). The corrosion resistance of uranium carbides is poor in water, but is good in hydrocarbons. Uranium monocarbide is compatib3e with aluminum, copper, magnesium, mild steel, and zirconium to the maximum temperatures of usefulness of these metals as structural materials. It is not compatible with Inconel or stainless steel at 800 deg C. Uranium monocarbide shows no gross structural damage after irradiation to a burnup of 25000 Mwd/t of uranium at 600 deg C. Heat treatment is shown to markedly affect the microstructure and properties of alloys containing 7 and 9 wt% carbon. Minor alloy additions of the refractory metal carbides greatly improve the strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance to uranium monocarbide. (auth)
Research Organization:
Battelle Memorial Inst., Columbus, Ohio
NSA Number:
NSA-16-030818
OSTI ID:
4767645
Journal Information:
American Ceramic Society Bulletin (U.S.), Journal Name: American Ceramic Society Bulletin (U.S.) Vol. Vol: 41; ISSN ACSBA
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English