Article

2023-02-23 Science & Technology

Fire 'involving URANIUM' breaks out at Tennessee National Security Complex where America's first atom bomb was developed, forcing evacuation of 200 staffers

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by Skidmark 2023-02-23 00:00|| || Front Page|| [13 views ] Top

#1 Oh, yes, Uranium alloy can be highly flammable. Goes up basically like flash powder.
I had to machine a Staballoy (depleted U) part for a test unit oh these many years ago. We got shown films on what goes wrong, which is lots.
Point is you need to cut it in a sealed machine flooded with argon, and very sharp tools only.

Posted by ed in texas 2023-02-23 14:05|| 2023-02-23 14:05|| Front Page Top

#2 ^ Wasn't that long ago we were banging rocks together to make sharp things, back when a Clovis point was state of the art. Human technology has come a long way.

Posted by SteveS 2023-02-23 19:14|| 2023-02-23 19:14|| Front Page Top