The work described in this report was conducted principally to determine the effects of oxygen, chloride ion, and water vapor on the uranium alloy, Mulberry (U 7-1/2 Wt% Nb 2-1/2 Wt% Zr). The susceptibility of Mulberry to the initiation of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) was of particular interest. Results show that where the chloride ion is present in concentrations of less than 2 ppm, a smooth bend specimen with or without a nickel couple subjected to maximum stress near its yield point does not exhibit crack initiation during a 3 year period. Crack initiation is prevented in a chloride environment if available oxygen is reduced to a very low, but undeterminable value.
General corrosion, with accompanying hydrogen production under certain-conditions, and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) are important to users of uranium alloys, particularly in the nuclear industries. Thus, the reaction of uranium with water vapor to form uranium dioxide accompanied...
