Metastability and Delta-Phase Retention in Plutonium Alloys Final Report of LDRD Project 01-ERD-029

Wong, J ; Schwartz, A J ; Blobaum, K M ; Krenn, C R ; Wall, M A ; Wolfer, W G ; Haslam, J J ; Moore, K T

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

关键词: 46 Instrumentation Related To Nuclear Science And Technology;    Alloys;    75 Condensed Matter Physics, Superconductivity And Superfluidity;    36 Materials Science;    Plutonium Alloys;   

DOI  :  10.2172/15013947
RP-ID  :  UCRL-TR-202395
RP-ID  :  W-7405-ENG-48
RP-ID  :  15013947

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

The {delta} to {alpha}' phase transformation in Pu-Ga alloys is intriguing for both scientific and technological reasons. On cooling, the ductile fcc {delta}-phase transforms martensitically to the brittle monoclinic {alpha}'-phase at approximately -120 C (depending on composition). This exothermic transformation involves a 20% volume contraction and a significant increase in resistivity. The reversion of {alpha}' to {delta} involves a large temperature hysteresis beginning just above room temperature. In an attempt to better understand the underlying thermodynamics and kinetics responsible for these unusual features, we have investigated the {delta} {leftrightarrow} {alpha}' phase transformations in a Pu-0.6 wt% Ga alloy using a combination of experimental and modeling techniques.