Three unirradiated experimental breeder reactor II blanket fuel samples containing depleted uranium metal (238U) were corrosion tested in simulated J13 well water at 90°C. The purpose was to study the products of the aqueous corrosion of U metal, i.e. UO2, UO2 + x, UH3, and H2. The corrosion products were weighed for mass balance and analysed by X-ray powder diffraction. The data showed that UO2 powder, as well as higher oxides, i.e. UO2 + x had formed. However, no UH3 was detected. The corrosion rate of uranium metal in water at 90°C was inferred by collecting and quantitatively measuring the hydrogen gas evolved.
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