CORROSION OF ALUMINUM-URANIUM ALLOYS IN HIGH-TEMPERATURE WATER

Sixty-day corrosion tests were performed in water at 290 deg C with unirradiated aluminum-uranium alloys containing 2 wt.% nickel and 1/2 wt.% iron, with several uranium contents from 15 wt.% to 53 wt.%. The maximum methi penetration rate (4 mils per year by extrapolation) of these alloys was no more than twice that of X8001 alumunum cladding alloy at the same temperature. Preliminary testing in water at 350 deg C indicated good corrosion resistance for this alloy system ap to a maximum of 80 wt.% uranium. (auth