Method of preparing aluminium-uranium alloy detection foils

The aluminium-uranium alloy is prepared by uranium alloying of high-purity molten aluminium, which produces the intermetallic UAl3 phase. The alloy is poured at a temperature of 800 degC into a horizontal mould to preclude gravitational separation of uranium during solidification. In order to achieve a homogeneous distribution of UAl3 the ingot is annealed at a temperature of 550 degC for three hours and is then quenched in water. The foil is first hot rolled at a temperature between 450 and 480 degC and then cold rolled to a thickness of 0.05 mm. During the rolling process a 50% deformation takes place after which intermediate annealing follows at a temperature of 480 degC for 20 mins. The achievement of the new method is an easier production of foils than with the use of pure uranium and the high corrosion resistance of the uranium-aluminium alloy foil. (Ha)