Extrusion-formed uranium-2. 4 wt % article with decreased linear thermal expansion and method for making the same. [Patent application]

Patent · 24 May 1982

OSTI ID:6188391

Anderson, R C; Jones, J M; Kollie, T G

The present invention is directed to the fabrication of an article of uranium-2.4 wt % niobium alloy in which the linear thermal expansion in the direction transverse to the extrusion direction is less than about 0.98% between 22 and 600/sup 0/C which corresponds to a value greater than the 1.04% provided by previous extrusion operations over the same temperature range. The article with the improved thermal expansion possesses a yield strength at 0.2% offset of at least 400 MPa, an ultimate tensile strength of 1050 MPa, a compressive yield strength of at least 0.2% offset of at least 675 MPa, and an elongation of at least 25% over 25.4 mm/s. To provide this article with the improved thermal expansion, the uranium alloy billet is heated to 630/sup 0/C and extruded in the alpha phase through a die with a reduction ratio of at least 8.4:1 at a ram speed no greater than 6.8 mm/s. These critical extrusion parameters provide the article with a desired decrease in the linear thermal expansion while maintaining the selected mechanical properties without encountering crystal disruption in the article.

• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• Assignee: EDB-83-085648; ERA-08-029896
• Patent Number(s): None
• Application Number: ON: DE83010488
• OSTI ID: 6188391
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360101* -- Metals & Alloys-- Preparation & Fabrication
ACTINIDE ALLOYS
ALLOYS
EXPANSION
EXTRUSION
FABRICATION
MATERIALS WORKING
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
NIOBIUM ALLOYS
TENSILE PROPERTIES
THERMAL EXPANSION
URANIUM ALLOYS
URANIUM BASE ALLOYS
YIELD STRENGTH