SOME STUDIES ON THE URANIUM-THORIUM-ZIRCONIUM TERNARY ALLOY SYSTEM

摘要

Alloys of the uran1urn-thorium-zlrconium system have been investigated by thermal, microscopic, and X-ray methods. The uranium-thorium binary system has been studied and a phase diagram proposed. In this system there is a eutectic at 1086° C. and 3 weight per cent thorium. A region of liquid immiscibility exists above 1375° C. between the compositions 8 weight per cent and 72 weight per cent thorium. A method of determining the boundary of the liquid area has been described^ This method consisted, briefly, of maintaining the alloys at a constant tern perature allowing the two liquid layers to separate and determining the composition .of each layer by chemical analysis. The thorium liquids which rises sharply from the eutectic, was determined in a similar manner. Excess solid thorium was immersed in molten uranium at fixed, elevated temperatures until equilibrium was established. From chemical analysis the amount of thorium dissolved was ascertained establishing a point on the liquiduscurve. No solid solubility was observed in either component and no intermetallic compounds were found.