Corrosion-resistant Fe-Cr-uranium-238 pellet and method for making the same

Patent · Tue May 17 00:00:00 EDT 1983

OSTI ID:5928244

Zapffe, C A

High density, generally microscopically homogeneous corrosionresistant chromium-uranium metal alloys for ammunition use (particularly for spherical pellets or shot) can be made from U/sup 238/ or an isotopic mixture high in U/sup 238/ (such as ''depleted uranium'') and at least about 10 atomic % chromium. The alloys can also contain one or more metals of group viii, first triad, of the periodic table, and a variety of other elements used, for example, in making ferrous metals. Major factors to be considered in formulating the alloy are density, melting point or melting range, passivity or chemical or biological inertness, resistance to segregation in the molten phase and upon rapid cooling (chromium-poor phases or regions being particularly undesirable), and compensation for any loss of free chromium due to formation of intermetallic or other forms of combined chromium. The uranium content in the alloy is preferably less than 70 atomic %. Rapid cooling of the chromium-uranium or chromium-uranium-group viii metal melt, e.g. By the shot tower technique, avoids undesirable segregation effects which can detract from corrosion resistance. The shot tower may optionally contain a non-oxidizing atmosphere.

• Assignee: EDB-83-140821
• Patent Number(s): US 4383853
• OSTI ID: 5928244
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360101* -- Metals & Alloys-- Preparation & Fabrication
360105 -- Metals & Alloys-- Corrosion & Erosion
ACTINIDE ALLOYS
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ALLOYS
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CHROMIUM ALLOYS
COOLING
CORROSION RESISTANCE
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FABRICATION
HEAVY NUCLEI
IRON ALLOYS
ISOTOPES
NUCLEI
PELLETS
RADIOISOTOPES
URANIUM 238
URANIUM ALLOYS
URANIUM ISOTOPES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES