URANIUM ALLOY POWDERS BY DIRECT REDUCTION OF OXIDES

A process is outlined for the production of uranium alloy powders by co- reduction of mintures of uranium oxide and alloy element oxides. The reduction of mechanical mintures of the oxides of uranium and alloy element with calcium in a sealed reaction vessel is shown to produce powder wtth a variation in particle composition, although of consistert composition over various size fractions. The particular alloy systems which are considered are uranium--nickel, uranium-- chromium, uranium --molybdenum, and uranium--niobium. The uranium-molybdenum and uranium--niobium powders are single phase (metastable gamma), which is of consequence in the production of dimensionaHy stable nuclear fuels. Potential applications of some of these alloys are discussed. (auth