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Title: Surface Characterization of Depleted Uranium–Molybdenum to Determine Surface Coating Compatibility

Journal Article · · Nuclear Technology

Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy have been used to characterize the surface of depleted uranium molybdenum (DU-Mo) alloys as a chemical surrogate to determine potential challenges with the surfaces of manufactured and stored U-Mo foils and powders. Even when stored and shipped in an inert atmosphere, U-Mo has a tenacious surface contamination of oxygen and carbon. The 8 at. % molybdenum (DU-8Mo) powder and 10 at. % molybdenum (DU-10Mo) foil samples have surface contamination of oxygen and carbon in different ratios that is hundreds to thousands of nanometers thick. The DU-8Mo powder sample has been stored in an inert atmosphere and as a result has a lower carbon-to-oxygen ratio at the surface than the DU-10Mo foil sample that was stored in air. This surface contamination has not been removed by up to 20 min of argon ion sputtering nor with 5% hydrogen in argon heat treatment for up to 96 h at 950°C.

Research Organization:
Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE); USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC07-05ID14517; 25228
OSTI ID:
1490496
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1561106
Report Number(s):
INL/JOU-16-40037-Rev000; TRN: US2000600
Journal Information:
Nuclear Technology, Vol. 205, Issue 6; ISSN 0029-5450
Publisher:
Taylor & Francis - formerly American Nuclear Society (ANS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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