New thermodynamic measurements in the U-fe system

The U-Fe phase diagram data from thermal measurements by Gordon, Grogan, Chapman and Michaud and from mass spectroscopic measurements by Gardie are generally in agreement. Two line compounds UFe2 and U6Fe exist. The enthalpy of formation of UFe2 at 298 K is reported to be -32.4 kJ/mol by Akhachinskij, -61.8 kJ/mol by Kanno and -42.03 kJ/mol by Antony. This disagreement between the different authors requires some new measurements in order to improve the knowledge of this system. Moreover no data exists on the enthalpy of formation of U6Fe and on the heat capacity of these two materials. The objective of this study is to measure these missing data in view of performing an assessment of the phase diagram. (author)