Uranium carbides (UCs) are prevalent inclusions in U metal that form during melting operations from interactions with crucible walls and the casting chamber atmosphere. Although UCs have been studied extensively since the beginning of U metal foundry operations, there are still unknowns regarding the effects of thermomechanical processing on their sizes and morphology. Here, we present the results of a series of controlled cooling experiments with molten uranium to elucidate the effect of cooling rate on inclusion morphology in a-U. Samples were melted using a vacuum induction melter and manually cooled at rates of 2.5, 1.7, 1.1, 0.8, 0.3 (± 1%) K/s from ~1600 K to
Published: November 9, 2021
Citation
Athon M.T., D.D. Reilly, I.J. Schwerdt, J.F. Corbey, M.J. Olszta, and L.E. Sweet. 2022.Quantitative Morphological Characterization of Carbide Inclusions in Uranium Metal.Journal of Nuclear Materials 558.PNNL-SA-164724.doi:10.1016/j.jnucmat.2021.153370