THE SINTERING OF URANIUM-CARBON-IRON ALLOYS IN THE PRESENCE OF A LIQUID PHASE *

The preparation of uranium mono carbide bodies containing ∼1% open porosity and with a density of ∼12·4 g/c.c. by cold compacting and sintering uranium/graphite mixtures is described. The effect of iron additions in producing a liquid phase during sintering has been studied, and it is shown that the addition of 10 wt.-% UFe₂ to the stoichiometric mixture of uranium and graphite raises the sintered density to ∼13·1 g/c.c. and reduces the open porosity to ∼0·5%. The mechanism of carbide formation and densification in the presence of a liquid phase is discussed.