Elasticity and Anelasticity of Uranium Oxides at Room Temperature: I, Stoichiometric Oxide

The elastic modulus and internal friction of stoichiometric uranium oxide at room temperature were studied using a dynamic method. The elastic modulus of stoichiometric urania at room temperature increases with increasing density. When the volume fraction porosity is less than 0.1, either linear or exponential equations can he used to calculate the elastic modulus as a function of density. When the volume fraction porosity is more than 0.1, a linear equation seems to be more suitable. The elastic modulus of stoichiometric nonporous uranium oxide at room temperature was found, by extrapolation, to be 2243.56 ± 22.1 kbars when the exponential equation was used, and 2233.85 ± 22.05 kbars when the linear expression was used. The internal friction of stoichiometric urania decreases sharply as the grains become larger. The number, size, and position of pores may also affect the internal friction values.