The effect of extrusion texture on the linear thermal contraction and mechanical properties of the uranium-2.4 wt% niobium alloy

The effects of forward extrusion in the α-phase on the linear thermal contraction (LTC) and tensile mechanical properties of the uranium-2.4 wt% niobium (U-2.4Nb) alloy were studied. Extrusion parameters investigated included: extrusion ratio, extrusion ram speed, extrusion die angle, and billet preheat temperature. The investigation revealed that the anisotropic LTC developed in the alloy could be correlated with the preferential alignment of the crystallographic axes of the alloy caused by extrusion. The LTC and tensile strengths decreased with an increase in the extrusion ratio. The effects of the other extrusion parameters on the properties were small.