The high temperature reaction between uranium monocarbide and β-silicon carbide

Abstract

β-Silicon carbide-coated uranium monocarbide granules were heated in the range 1500–1850° to investigate the compatibility of β-silicon carbide and uranium monocarbide. Above 1600° a reaction occurred which can be summarized as: 9UC + 4SiC → 5UC₂+ U₃C₃Si₂+ USi₂ The reaction appears to involve the formation of a molten shell at the original β-silicon carbide–uranium monocarbide interface. It results in the diffusion of uranium into the β-silicon carbide according to the relation, D= 0·01342 exp (–68,000 ± 20,000/RT).