Chemistry:Stakalloy
Stakalloy is a ternary alloy of uranium composed of vanadium, niobium, and depleted uranium.[1] The alloy was developed in 2002 by Michael R. Staker of Loyola University Maryland under grant from the United States Army.[2]
Composition
The niobium content of stakalloy is between 0.01 and 0.95 percent by weight and the balance being uranium.[1] The vanadium content of the alloy is between the gamma eutectoid and the eutectic compositions, 1.0 percent and 4.5 percent by weight respectively.[1]
Properties
Stakalloy has improved metallurgical properties over other depleted uranium alloys, such as staballoy, being more viable as a structural alloy where a combination between high strength and high density is required.[1] Changes include that of density, hardness, ballistic properties, and machinability.[1]
Production
Staker's invention of stakalloy involved reducing excessive carbon levels while adding together uranium with trace amounts of niobium and vanadium.[1] The three constituent parts may be combined through melting, however, the niobium and vanadium must be charged into the melt or introduced to additional melt stock before heat-up.[1]
Arc melting is also a melting technique noted by Staker, in which niobium is added to an alloy of vanadium and uranium from a crucible.[1]
After casting an ingot of stakalloy, the ingot can be used in the as-cast condition or be worked—either hot or cold—to change both properties and shape. Stakalloy can also be heat-treated after manipulation of shape.
Uses
Stakalloy may be a viable replacement for the United States Army's Advanced Kinetic Energy round.[3] In 2007, Army Solicitation Notice W911QX-07-T-0053 entitled "Processing U-V-X Alloy Ingots" outlined work at Aerojet producing promising alloys with interesting material properties for future testing at the Army Research Laboratories.[3][4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Staker, Michael R., "Stakalloy: a uranium-vanadium-niobium alloy", US patent 6726876, published 2004-04-27, assigned to Secretary of the United States Army
- ↑ "Michael R. Staker Inventions, Patents and Patent Applications - Justia Patents Search". https://patents.justia.com/inventor/michael-r-staker.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Hambling, David. "Army Again Turns to Depleted Uranium for New Weaponry" (in en-US). Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. https://www.wired.com/2009/12/army-again-turns-to-depleted-uranium-for-new-weaponry/.
- ↑ "PRESOL | R | PROCESSING U-V-X ALLOY INGOTS | 08-Mar-07 - FBO#1928". http://www.fbodaily.com/archive/2007/03-March/08-Mar-2007/FBO-01244768.htm.
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