Institute of Metals Division - Magnesium-Uranium System

A summary of analytical, X-ray, thermal, and metallographic data obtained in the study of the Mg-U system is presented. No intermetallic compounds are formed by these two elements, and their mutual solubility is limited at temperatures up to 1255°C. The compositions of the liquids which coexist at 1135°C under a pressure of 3 atm are 0.14*0.05 wt pet U in magnesium, and 0.004 wt pet Mg in uranium. The solubility of uranium in magnesium decreases to 0.0510.03 wt pet at 675OC, and to about 0.0005 wt pet at 650°C. Due to the reactivity of both uranium and magnesium toward crucible materials, the choice of a suitable crucible presented a problem. Crucibles made from high purity magnesia to which 10 wt pet MgF2 was added to reduce porosity proved to be satisfactory. Some observations made with the use of other crucibles are given. THIS investigation was made to establish the phase diagram for the Mg-U system. Ahmann,' formerly of the Ames Laboratory, did some work on the system. He used several methods in an attempt to prepare Mg-U alloys. One of the methods involved the reduction of UF, with a large excess of magnesium. In these experiments, the magnesium wet the surface of the uranium, but there was no evidence for compound formation. The maximum solubility of magnesium in uranium was indicated to be 0.01 wt pet. In another set of experiments, uranium chips as well as uranium powder were heated in contact with molten magnesium in a graphite crucible for periods of time up to 48 hr. A reaction layer was found at the Mg-U interface in several instances. X-ray analysis of the layer material showed the presence of UC and some additional unidentified lines which were interpreted as indicating the possibility of an intermetallic compound of uranium and magnesium. These studies indicated the maximum content of magnesium in uranium to be 0.043 wt pet. One sample of magnesium which had been heated at 1025°C in contact with excess uranium was found by chemical analysis to contain 0.275 wt pet U. Rules, based on empirical or semi theoretical considerations, which attempt to predict the alloying behavior of metals have been presented in the literature. Although these rules are not infallible, they nevertheless serve as useful guides. Using them, several generalizations can be made concerning the Mg-U system. According to Hume-Rothery's' atomic