Preparation and Characterization of U-Cu Intermetallic Compounds

Preparation and characterization of U-Cu intermetallic compound was investigated. The microstructure, phase transformation and mechanical properties such as elastic modulus and hardness of the compounds have been studied by nanoindentation, XRD, SEM and EDX. The microstructure of the compounds displays a new phase with more than 10 p.m in thickness, which has a U/Cu ratio 1:4. The nanoindentation tests on sample indicate that hardness of uranium intermetallic compounds is higher than that of metal U and Cu. Uranium intermetallic compounds have a Young's modulus of 121 GPa, and a thermal expansion coefficient of 7.3x10(-5) K-1. The strain hardening effect of U-Cu compound is more obvious than that of U, while the strain rate effect of U is more distinct than that of U-Cu compound.