Influence of carbon on the tensile properties of U-0.1 W%Cr

摘要

The U-0.1%Cr alloy was developed as a fuel for heavy water nuclear reactors. The Cr addition acts as a βU stabilizer, it is used for U grain refinement and to ensure a random grain structure by implementing an αU → βU → αU heat treatment [1, 2]. One of the main impurities found in the alloy is carbon. The main source of it is from production and from the casting process. During solidification the cubic UC carbides nucleate and grow. Due to the extremely low solubility of carbon in uranium at room temperature, practically all the carbon is found as carbides.