Carbon-free induction furnace

Patent · Mon Oct 28 23:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5602979

Holcombe, C E; Masters, D R; Pfeiler, W A

An induction furnace for melting and casting highly pure metals and alloys such as uranium and uranium alloys in such a manner as to minimize contamination of the melt by carbon derived from the materials and the environment within the furnace. The subject furnace is constructed of carbon free materials and is housed within a conventional vacuum chamber. The furnace comprises a ceramic oxide crucible for holding the charge of metal or alloy. The heating of the crucible is achieved by a plasma-sprayed tungsten susceptor surrounding the crucible which, in turn, is heated by an RF induction coil separated from the susceptor by a cylinder of inorganic insulation. The furnace of the present invention is capable of being rapidly cycled from ambient temperatures to about 1650/sup 0/C for effectively melting uranium and uranium alloys without the attendant carbon contamination problems previously encountered when using carbon-bearing furnace materials.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
• Patent Number(s): US 4550412
• OSTI ID: 5602979
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

050700 -- Nuclear Fuels-- Fuels Production & Properties
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360101* -- Metals & Alloys-- Preparation & Fabrication
ACTINIDE ALLOYS
ACTINIDES
ALLOYS
CARBON
CASTING
CERAMICS
CONTROL
DEPOSITION
ELECTRIC FURNACES
ELEMENTS
EXTRACTIVE METALLURGY
FABRICATION
FURNACES
INDUCTION FURNACES
MELTING
METALLURGY
METALS
NONMETALS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PLASMA ARC SPRAYING
PURIFICATION
QUALITY CONTROL
RF SYSTEMS
SPECIFICATIONS
SPRAY COATING
SURFACE COATING
THERMAL INSULATION
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
TUNGSTEN
URANIUM
URANIUM ALLOYS