Correlation effects on stability in Pu metal and its alloys
- LLNL
The existence of six crystallographic allotropes from room temperature up to the solid-liquid transition just above 913 K at atmospheric pressure makes solid Plutonium unique among the elements in the periodic table. Among these phases (labeled {alpha}, {beta}, {gamma}, {delta}{delta}{prime}), and {var_epsilon}, the {delta} phase, stable between 593 K and 736 K, has commanded considerable interest in the metallurgical and solid state communities. In contrast to the low-temperature monoclinic {alpha} phase, which is brittle, the face-centered cubic (fcc) {delta} phase is ductile, a property that makes it convenient for engineering applications. This phase can also be stabilized through alloying with a number of other elements such as Ga, Al, Sc, and Am.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Defense Programs (DP) (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 9787
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-JC-133574; DP0101031; DP0101031
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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