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Microstructural investigation of intermediate phase formation in uranium-aluminum diffusion couples

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Abstract

The irregular growth of the intermediate phase layer which forms as a result of interdiffusion between U and Al has been studied. Using optical and scanning electron microscope examination techniques and electron-probe microanalysis, it has been determined that only one phase (UAl3) grows in the U-Al system and that the breakdown of interfacial planarity is a result of a limited nucleation rate and rapid growth rate of UA13. This phase partially decomposes near the uranium end of the diffusion couple during slow cooling, resulting in the formation of a “multiphase≓ region. No such region is observed in rapidly cooled specimens. X-ray diffraction indicates the absence of a preferential growth direction to the intermediate phase layer. A model is presented that describes the sequence of intermediate phase growth.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ABEX Corporation, 65 Valley Road, 07430, Mahwah, NJ

    Dilip Subramanyam

  2. Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Lehigh University, 18015, Bethlehem, PA

    Michael R. Notis (Professor) & Joseph I. Goldstein (Professor)

Authors
  1. Dilip Subramanyam
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  2. Michael R. Notis
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  3. Joseph I. Goldstein
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Subramanyam, D., Notis, M.R. & Goldstein, J.I. Microstructural investigation of intermediate phase formation in uranium-aluminum diffusion couples. Metall Trans A 16, 589–595 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02814232

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02814232

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