Plutonium pyrophoricity

Technical Report · Tue Jun 02 04:00:00 EDT 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5156223· OSTI ID:5156223

Stakebake, J L

A review of the published literature on ignition and burning of plutonium metal was conducted in order to better define the characteristic of pyrophoric plutonium. The major parameter affecting ignition is the surface area/mass ratio of the sample. Based on this parameter, plutonium metal can be classified into four categories: (1) bulk metal, (2) film and foils, (3) chips and turnings, and (4) powder. Other parameters that can alter the ignition of the metal include experimental, chemical, physical, and environmental effects. These effects are reviewed in this report. It was concluded from this review that pyrophoric plutonium can be conservatively defined as: Plutonium metal that will ignite spontaneously in air at a temperature of 150{degrees}C or below in the absence of external heat, shock, or friction. The 150{degrees}C temperature was used to compensate for the self-heating of plutonium metal. For a practical definition of whether any given metal is pyrophoric, all of the factors affecting ignition must be considered.

• Research Organization: EG and G Rocky Flats, Inc., Golden, CO (United States). Rocky Flats Plant
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC34-90DP62349
• OSTI ID: 5156223
• Report Number(s): RFP-4517; ON: DE92015650
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360105 -- Metals & Alloys-- Corrosion & Erosion
38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
400702* -- Radiochemistry & Nuclear Chemistry-- Properties of Radioactive Materials
42 ENGINEERING
420203 -- Engineering-- Handling Equipment & Procedures
ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
ACTINIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
ELEMENTS
ENERGY TRANSFER
HEAT TRANSFER
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IGNITION
METALS
OXIDATION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLUTONIUM
PLUTONIUM COMPOUNDS
PLUTONIUM OXIDES
PYROLYSIS
SURFACE AREA
SURFACE PROPERTIES
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
TRANSURANIUM COMPOUNDS
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS