Enriched uranium

Enriched uranium is uranium whose uranium-235 content has been increased through the process of isotope separation. Natural uranium consists mostly of the U-238 isotope, with about 0.7 percent by weight as U-235, the only isotope existing in nature in any appreciable amount that is fissionable by thermal neutrons.

Related Topics:
Uranium - Uranium-235 - Isotope separation - U-238 - Isotope - Fissionable - Thermal neutron

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The ability to enrich uranium is one of the key factors in nuclear weapons proliferation.

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During the Manhattan Project enriched uranium was given the codename oralloy, a shortened version of Oak Ridge alloy, after the plant where the uranium was enriched. The term oralloy is still occasionally used to refer to enriched uranium.

Related Topics:
Manhattan Project - Oak Ridge - Alloy

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The U-238 remaining after enrichment is known as depleted uranium (DU), and is considerably less radioactive than even natural uranium, though still extremely dense and is useful for armor and armor penetrating weapons.

Related Topics:
Depleted uranium - Radioactive - Armor

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For information on how uranium is enriched see isotope separation.

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