[sdiy] depleted uranium

[Benjamin Riggs]

Lets see if I can remember it correctly. You are pretty much correct colin.
If you take uranium (0.5% U235, 99.5% U238) and enrich it you get a small
amount of enriched uranium (5% U235, 95% U238) and a large amount of
depleted uranium (U238).

U238 is not very radioactive but very dense.

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
[mailto:owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl] On Behalf Of Colin f
Sent: Tuesday, 27 June 2006 5:23 PM
To: 'synth-diy'
Subject: RE: [sdiy] depleted uranium

 
> It is a byproduct of nuclear reactors, so it is free!

Generally DU used in munitions does not actually come out of a reactor.
The depleted uranium is a by-product of the enrichment process that
separates out the fissible uranium.
It has very little radioactivity, but is still about as bad for you as lead.
You don't hear many compaints about lead-tipped munitions, but they have a
much more significant environmental impact due to their much wider use.

Cheers,
Colin f