Download or read book Compatibility of Molten Uranium Dioxide with Five Refractory Materials written by William A. Sanders and published by . This book was released on 1963 with total page 40 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An investigation of the compatibility of molten uranium dioxide with tungsten, tantalum, tantalum diboride, tantalum carbide and hafnium carbide was conducted to indicate combinations that may be useful in nuclear reactors that are to operate at temperatures above the melting point of uranium dioxide, 5000 F. The evaluations were conducted at a test temperature of 52200 F for a period of 15 minutes in a high-purity argon atmosphere. One compatibility test of molten uranium dioxide with tungsten was conducted at 55000 F. The tests were performed with the refractory material in the form of a crucible that contained a uranium dioxide charge. Crucible cross sections were studied after testing, and the degree of reaction between uranium dioxide and the various crucible materials was judged by the use of X-ray diffraction analysis, metallographic examination, microhardness measurements, and electron-beam microanalysis.