Studies on the Uranium Dicarbide Phase

The lattice parameters of UC2 are examined as a function of carbon content and annealing: conditions on sintered carbides between UC1·5 and UC2·2 (7.0 to 10.0W/0 of carbon). The values of UC2 obtained under equilibrium state are around a 0=3.5253 A and c 0=5.9994A. The lattice parameter measurements were made also on UC2 obtained under non-equilibrium conditions by are-melting and carbothermic reaction of UO2. The lattice parameters were appreciably smaller than on the specimens obtained under equilibrium. With annealing, both the lattice parameter and the combined carbon content showed a tendency to increase.