Mechanical and physical properties of refractory metals and alloys

This paper provides some discussion of the technology of refractory metals and alloys for application to space nuclear power. This paper was designed to focus on the mechanical and physical properties of this group of materials with the intent of identifying the status of existing information. Another objective of this paper was to make some assessment of the existing property information and then to determine those measurements that must be made in order to serve the needs of the space nuclear power programs. The review portion of this paper focuses on the following properties: thermal expansion; thermal conductivity; enthalpy and heat capacity; tensile strength; stress rupture and creep strength; and fatigue strength. 62 references, 25 figures