Effect of the relative humidity in test atmospheres on uranium--0.75% titanium and uranium--2.25% niobium alloys

Tensile tests of uranium--0.75 percent titanium and uranium--2.25 percent niobium alloys showed decreased ductility values with an increased humidity of the test atmosphere (12 to 80 percent rh). Similar results were obtained when the specimens were coated with a commercial rust preventive prior to testing. Results show that testing of the alloys should not be performed in laboratory atmospheres above a 50 percent relative humidity. The tensile-test ductility was not degraded in a dry argon atmosphere