Experiments determine the effect of alloying additives on the ignition of uranium. Data on oxidation rates, ignition temperatures, and burning curves are provided in the report

Baker, L., Jr.

Bingle, J. D.

Schnizlein, J. G.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

August 1968
	
Brief 68-10280 
ICV Co
AEC-NASA TECH BRIEF 
AEC-NASA Tech Briefs describe innos'ations resulting from the research and development program 
of the U.S. AEC or from AEC-NASA interagency efforts. They are issued to encourage commercial 
application. Tech Briefs are published by NASA and may be purchased, at 15 cents each, from 
the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Ignition of Binary Alloys of Uranium 
Uranium is a metal important to the nuclear indus-
tries, yet it has many relatively poor properties as a 
metal. For example, it is active chemically, it is 
anisotropic, and it has undesirable mechanical prop-
erties. Also, impurities are often present in the uran-
ium metal. The purpose of this investigation of uran-
ium alloys is to improve upon the properties of the 
parent metal, uranium. 
Seventy binary alloys, representing 24 different 
additives, were included in the study. Several of these 
additives were common impurities in uranium; others 
were selected because of their particular interest to 
the nuclear field. Most of the alloys were prepared in 
nominal concentrations of 0.5, 1, and 2 at%. All were 
analyzed for carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, and 
trace elements as well as for intentionally added 
constituents. 
The experiments were performed by placing nomi-
nal 8.5-mm alloy cubes in a flowing oxidizing atmos-
phere within a furnace. The temperature of the furnace 
was then increased 10°C per minute. Differences in 
the sample temperature-time curves were noted for 
the various binary uranium alloys. Results were 
interpreted in terms of the effect of the alloying ad-
dition on the previously demonstrated transition of 
the oxide at 4000 -5000 C from an autocatalytic to a 
protective form. 
Additions of aluminum and certain other alloys, 
including beryllium, bismuth, carbon, lead, molyb-
denum, niobium, palladium, platinum, ruthenium, 
silicon, titanium, and vanadium, inhibited the oxide 
transition and thereby lowered the ignition tempera-
ture. Another effect produced notably by copper, but 
also by bismuth, lead, palladium, platinum, ruthen-
ium, and vanadium, was an increase in the protective-
ness of the oxide formed at temperatures above 500°C. 
Very complex temperature-time curves were obtained 
when both effects occurred with the same alloy. 
Alloying additions of cerium, chromium, hydrogen, 
iron, nickel, rhodium, silver, tantalum, thorium, and 
zirconium had no significant effect on the ignition 
behavior of uranium at the low concentration levels 
studied. 
Notes: 
1. Related articles are: Baker, L. Jr., Schnizlein, J. G., 
and Bingle, J. D.. "The Ignition of Uranium," 
Journal of Nuclear Materials, 20, p 22-38, 1966; 
Tetenbaum, M., Mishler, L., and Schnizlein, G., 
"Uranium Powder Ignition Studies," Nuclear 
Science and Engineering, 14, p 230-238, 1962; 
Baker, L. Jr., and Bingle, J. D., "The Kinetics of 
Oxidation of Uranium Between 300° and 6250C," 
Journal of Nuclear Materials, 20, p 11-21, 1966; 
Leibowitz, L., et al, "Burning Velocities of Uran-
ium and Zirconium in Air," Nuclear Science and 
Engineering, 15, p 395-403, 1963; Mouradian, 
E. M., and Baker, L. Jr., "Burning Temperatures 
of Uranium and Zirconium in Air," Nuclear 
Science and Engineering, 15, p 388-394, 1963; and 
Leibowitz, L., Schnizlein, J. G., and Michler, 
L. W., "The Effect of Halogenated Hydrocarbons 
on the Burning of Uranium and Zirconium," 
Nuclear Science and Engineering, 15, p 404-410, 
1963. 
2. This information could be useful when applied to 
other metals, such as Al, Zr, Mg, B, Be, and Hf, 
used as fuels in pyrotechnics or in rocket engines. 
(continued overleaf) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the Atomic
	 liability resulting from the use of the information contained in this 
Energy Commission and/or the National Aeronautics and Space document, or warrants that the use of any information, apparatus, 
Administration. Neither the United States Government nor any per-
	 method, or process disclosed in this document may not infringe pri-
son acting on behalf of the United States Government assumes any vately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19680000280 2020-03-12T06:09:20+00:00Z
3. The effect of alloying additions on the ignition of 
uranium has been presented by J. G. Schnizlein, 
L. Baker, Jr., and J. D. Bingle of Argonne National 
Laboratory in "The Ignition of Binary Alloys of 
Uranium," Journal of Nuclear Materials, 20, p 39-
47, 1966. The report, part of an extensive study 
on the ignition behavior of uranium, includes the 
experimental procedures and data on oxidation 
rates, ignition temperatures, and burning curves. 
4. Inquiries concerning this innovation may be di-
rected to:
Office of Industrial Cooperation 
Argonne National Laboratory 
9700 South Cass Avenue 
Argonne, Illinois 60439 
Reference: B68-10280 
Source: J. G. Schnizlein, 
L. Baker, Jr., and J. D. Bingle, 
Chemical Engineering Division
(ARG- 10057)
Patent status: 
Inquiries about obtaining rights for commercial use 
of this innovation may be made to: 
Mr. George H. Lee, Chief 
Chicago Patent Group 
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission 
Chicago Operations Office 
9800 South Cass Avenue 
Argonne, Illinois 60439
S 
Brief 68-10280	 Category 03


Ignition of binary alloys of uranium

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

NASA Technical Reports Server