Welding iridium heat-source capsules for space missions

Conference · Sun Feb 28 23:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:5195087

Kanne, Jr, W R

A remote computer-controlled welding station was developed to encapsulate radioactive PuO/sub 2/ in iridium. Weld quench cracking caused an interruption in production of capsules for upcoming space missions. Hot crack sensitivity of the DOP-26 iridium alloy was associated with low melting constituents in the grain boundaries. The extent of cracking was reduced but could not be eliminated by changes to the welding operation. An ultrasonic test was developed to detect underbead cracks exceeding a threshold size. Production was continued using the ultrasonic test to reject capsules with detectable cracks.

• Research Organization: Du Pont de Nemours (E.I.) and Co., Aiken, SC (USA). Savannah River Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-76SR00001
• OSTI ID: 5195087
• Report Number(s): DPSPU-81-30-18; CONF-820449-2; ON: DE82020098
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES
070301* -- Isotopic Power Supplies-- Design & Fabrication-- (-1987)
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360101 -- Metals & Alloys-- Preparation & Fabrication
42 ENGINEERING
420500 -- Engineering-- Materials Testing
ACOUSTIC TESTING
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ALLOYS
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
ARC WELDING
CAPSULES
CONTAINERS
CRACKS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ENCAPSULATION
EQUIPMENT
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FABRICATION
GAS TUNGSTEN-ARC WELDING
HEAT SOURCES
HEAVY NUCLEI
IRIDIUM ALLOYS
ISOTOPES
JOINING
MATERIALS TESTING
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
NUCLEI
PLATINUM METAL ALLOYS
PLUTONIUM 238
PLUTONIUM ISOTOPES
POWER SUPPLIES
RADIOISOTOPE HEAT SOURCES
RADIOISOTOPES
SPACECRAFT POWER SUPPLIES
TESTING
ULTRASONIC TESTING
WELDING
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES