NIOBIUM-URANIUM ALLOYS AS CONTAINER MATERIAL FOR MOLTEN URANIUM EUTECTIC ALLOYS

A previous investigation concerned with liquid-core fuel elements and the materials from which they could be constructed revealed tht an alloy of U--5 wt. % Nb had considerable promise as container material. Results are given from a further investigation of this alloy, as well as another containing 10 wt. % Nb, to determine the time and temperature limits within which tbe oxide layer remains protective, the factors which hasten or delay the breakdown of the film, and the mechanism whereby the film deteriorites, (auth