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. 1960 Jan-Feb;64A(1):107-117.
doi: 10.6028/jres.064A.009. Epub 1960 Feb 1.

Uranium-Platinum System

J J Park, D P Fickle

Uranium-Platinum System

J J Park et al. J Res Natl Bur Stand A Phys Chem. 1960 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

The phase diagram of the uranium-platinum system was constructed from data obtained by thermal analysis, metallographic examination, and X-ray diffraction. The system is characterized by four intermetallic compounds: UPt, formed peritectoidally at 961° C; UPt2, formed peritectically at 1,370° C; UPt3, melting congruently at 1,700° C; and UPt5, formed peritectically at 1,460° C. One eutectic occurs at 1,005° C and 12 a/o platinum, and a second at 1,345° C and 87.5 a/o platinum. The maximum solubilities are 4.5 a/o uranium in platinum and 5 a/o platinum in gamma-uranium. Platinum lowers the gamma-beta uranium transformation to 705° C and the beta-alpha transformation to 589° C.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Microstructures of uranium-platinum alloys
Samples a, b were etched in chromic acid; c, d, e, f, g were electropolished in solution of orthophosphoric acid, ethylene glycol, and ethyl alcohol; h was not etched.

  1. Alloy of 5.0 a/o platinum, quenched from 720° C, UPt in uranium matrix. × 500.

  2. Alloy of 2.35 a/o platinum, after thermal analysis, UPt in uranium matrix. × 1000.

  3. Alloy of 2.35 a/o platinum, quenched from 700° C, UPt in uranium matrix. × 200.

  4. Alloy of 1.2 a/o platinum, quenched from 590° C, UPt in uranium matrix. × 100.

  5. Alloy of 1.2 a/o platinum, quenched from 600° C, uranium solid solution. × 500.

  6. Alloy of 0.9 a/o platinum, homogenized, uranium solid solution. × 100.

  7. Alloy of 1.2 a/o platinum, after thermal analysis, UPt in uranium matrix. Polarized light. × 100.

  8. Alloy of 49.8 a/o platinum, uranium in UPt matrix. × 200.

Figure 2
Figure 2. Uranium-rich section of uranium-platinum phase diagram
○ indicates single phase alloy, ◑ indicates two phase alloy, ● indicates fusion; + indicates thermal arrest.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Microstructures of uranium-platinum alloys
Specimens a, d were etched in sodium cyanide; b, c were not etched.

  1. Alloy of 66.7 a/o platinum, UPt2 phase. × 100.

  2. Alloy of 74.6 a/o platinum, UPt3 phase. Polarized light, × 500.

  3. Alloy of 82.8 a/o platinum, UPt3 in a matrix of UPt5. × 500.

  4. Alloy of 96.4 a/o platinum, platinum terminal solid solution. × 250.

Figure 4
Figure 4
Uranium-platinum phase diagram.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. R.W. Buzzard (informal communication).

    1. Buzzard RW, Cleaves HE. J Met and Ceram (TID65) 1948;1:43.
    1. Saller HA, Rough FA. Battelle Memorial Inst. 1955 BMI–1000.
    1. Heal TJ, Williams GI. Acta Cryst. 1955;8:494.
    1. Buzzard RW, Liss RB, Fickle DP. J Research NBS. 1953;50:209. RP2412.