Plastic Deformation Mechanisms and Rolling Technology of Uranium and Uranium Alloy

doi:10.3901/JME.2020.18.022

Abstract

Abstract: Uranium and its alloys as structural and functional materials are widely used in the field of energy and nuclear engineering for their excellent mechanical and nuclear properties. At low temperatures, the plastic deformation performance is different from that of conventional materials because of its orthorhombic crystalline structure. Twinning is the primary deformation mechanism of α-U, therefore, the forming property of the material at low temperature is poor. At high temperature, γ-U owns body-centered cubic structure, so plastic deformation is easy to occur by dislocations slipping. In the past, uranium and its alloys sheet rolling is usually finished at high temperature (750-1 000℃). High temperature processing of radioactive materials can cause serious aerosol pollution, so protection of environment and personnel is difficult. In recent years, the research and development of low temperature(<500℃) rolling technology of uranium material is developed. By theory guiding technology, rolling technology of uranium is gradually maturing. At present, a variety of plates such as uranium metal, U-Nb alloy and U-Mo alloy have been obtained by low temperature rolling, and it also lays a foundation for the subsequent forming technology (such as drawing, spinning, bulging, blanking, etc.).

Key words: uranium alloy sheet metal, rolling, deformation mechanism, texture evolution

CLC Number:

TG337

LIU Jingyuan, CUI Xiaolei. Plastic Deformation Mechanisms and Rolling Technology of Uranium and Uranium Alloy[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2020, 56(18): 22-34,42.

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