Study on the preparation of uranium carbides

Single phase uranium monocarbide was prepared by the solid-solid reaction between uranium and carbon above 900℃. The activation energy of the reaction is estimated to be in the range of 25∼45 kcal/mol and the rate is supposed to depend upon the diffusion of carbon rather than that of uranium. Uranium sesquicarbide was also prepared by the solid-solid reaction between uranium monocarbide and carbon at 1,500°∼1,700℃ without any stress. Uranium dicarbide appears above 1,200°∼1,300℃ in the reaction between uranium monocarbide and carbon, but the temperature higher than 1,800℃ was found to be necessary to prepare it in a single phase. (author)