The diffusion coefficient of oxygen into alpha-uranium at 323 °K determined by grazing angle X-ray diffraction technique

•Oxygen diffusion coefficients into metals are hard to obtain because of experimental challenges.•Grazing angle coupled with a position sensitive detector is uniquely suited for this experiment.•First time that an XRD experimental technique was used to determine the ODC into uranium metal.•Expansion of lattice parameter at fixed temperature demonstrated the migration of atomic oxygen into the metal.•Demonstrated that a quick and easy way to obtain an estimate of ODC is by this technique.