A method for coating of uranium with niobium carbide by vacuum vapor deposition

摘要

In a vapour deposition process of coating uranium carbide with niobium the uranium carbide is cleaned by ionic bombardment in an evacuated enclosure and the niobium is evaporated in the same enclosure by electron bombardent. The uranium carbide may first be cleaned mechanically and/or chemically and an intermediate bonding layer of copper may be vapour deposited prior to coating with the niobium. A screen may be interposed between the uranium carbide and the niobium source at the start of the vaporization and the coated uranium carbide is heated at 400-650 DEG C. for at least one hour. The coated article is also ultrasonically vibrated to improve the bonding. The coated uranium carbide may be sheathed in sintered aluminium.