The Preparation of Uranium

The method used for the preparation of uranium metal in a fused state was reduction of uranium chloride with calcium in a refractory-lined bomb. The reaction was started by externally heating the bomb with a gas flame. The metal was obtained in a solid chunk which was covered with a layer of fused calcium chloride. The metal obtained by this process had a density of 17.6 which on remelting in a vacuum induction furnace rose to 18.8. The melting temperature of the metal was estimated to be no greater than 1400 C. The metal was malleable, and had a silvery surface when freshly cut which rapidly tarnished, becoming black in the course of a few days