RATE OF ALLOYING OF URANIUM ALLOYS WITH STAINLESS STEEL (PART I. 1800 TO 2300 ℉)

摘要

The rate of alloying between Type 304 stainless steel and metal fuels was investigated between 1800 and 2300°F. The alloying times were determined by experimental couples in vacuum and also by short fuel elements with a sodium or NaK bond between the fuel and the cladding. The fuels included unalloyed uranium, uranium-molybdenum alloys, and a Th -7.6 wt % U alloy. Within the stated temperature range, unalloyed uranium alloys rapidly with the stainless steel, U - 10 Mo somewhat slower, and Th - 7.6 U the slowest of the fuels tested. The presence of a thin oxide film on the surface of a U - 10 Mo fuel wafer substantially lengthens the time required to form the low-melting iron-uranium eutectic, whereas this effect is minor with unalloyed uranium.nAdditional work is in progress to study the alloying rates at lower tempera¬tures.