Chapter 1. General information about uranium. 1.5. Mechanical properties

Full text: The mechanical properties of uranium depend on its purity, and which mechanical and thermal regimes are used for reprocessing. The average elasticity module value for cast uranium is 20.5•10^-2 mega newton/m² (20.9•10^-3 kilogram-force/mm²), strength limit during tension at room temperature is 372–470 mega newton/m² (38–48 kilogram-force/mm²), strength is increased after hardening from β - and γ - phases; and average rigidity by Brinell 19.6–21.6•10² mega newton/m² (200–220 kilogram-force/mm²). Exposure by neutron flux (which occurs in nuclear reactors) changes the physical and mechanical properties of uranium: creeping develops and brittleness increases, goods deformation is observed, which forces the operator to use uranium in nuclear reactors as different uranium alloys.