A general survey is presented of information in the uranium alloy field. Emphasis is centered on alpha uranium-rich alloys of special interest as uranium- base fuel element materials. The systems treated include uranium-molybdenum, uranium-silicon, uraniumzirconium, uranium-niobium, and uranium-zirconiumniobium (high uranium compositions). The uraniumfissium alloys are discussed in relation to their projected applications as fast reactor fuels. Equilibrium diagrams, transformation kinetics, and other pertinent data are presented for the uranium plus fissium'' element systems, e.g., uranium-ruthenium, uranium-rhodium, uraninum-palladium, and uraniummolybdenum-ruthenium. The properties covered include constitution phase diagrams, metallographic structure, physical and mechanicaly properties, transformation kinetics, crystallographic structure, thermal cycling, ad irradiation stability (where pertinent). Correlations between microstructure, heat treatment, and dimensional stability are emphasized, with particular reference to the U-2 wt.% Zr, U-5 wt.% Zr, and 1 1/2 wt.% Nb alloys. A discussion of the role of alloying and heattreatment in improving the dimensionaly stability and corrosion resistance of uraaium is presented, and an evaluation is made of the present status in attaining these objectives. (auth)
