Abstract
Plutonium may contain a large volume of microcracks which form during the β → α transformation. The volume of microcracks increases with increasing transformation temperature, metal purity, specimen size and applied uniaxial tensile stress. Transformation cycling causes additional microcracking, with concomitant swelling in all directions and extensive surface rumpling. For a given β → α transformation temperature, more damage occurs if the parent beta was formed from alpha rather than gamma. Alpha plutonium containing no microcracks can be produced by quenching the beta phase to −75° C during casting. No physical damage occurs during γ ⇆ β, δ ⇆ γ, or δ ⇆ β transformation cycling if the metal initially contains no microcracks.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.