Study of the hydridation of an uranium alloy containing 0.2 weight per cent of vanadium

The understanding of the hydriding mechanism of the uranium 0.2 wt% vanadium alloy lead us to study the influence of temperature (from room temperature to about 2000C) and hydrogen pressure (up to 105Pa) on the reaction kinetic, using ultra-high vacuum technology to minimize the effect of gaseous impurities. After a short nucleation stage, the reaction rate remains constant and takes values higher than those already reported in the literature. The hydriding process cannot be described by a single activated mechanism. A complex hydrided zone is observed under the spall front of the reaction, displaying a double-layer structure: thin hydride precipitates are detected into the underlying metal up to a few microns depth