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Enriched uranium

Enriched uranium is a type of uranium in which the percent composition of uranium-235 (written 235U) has been increased through the process of isotope separation. Naturally occurring uranium is composed of three major isotopes: uranium-238 (238U with 99.2732–99.2752% natural abundance), uranium-235 (235U, 0.7198–0.7210%), and uranium-234 (234U, 0.0049–0.0059%).[1] 235U is the only nuclide existing in nature (in any appreciable amount) that is fissile with thermal neutrons.[2]

Proportions of uranium-238 (blue) and uranium-235 (red) found naturally versus enriched grades

Enriched uranium is a critical component for both civil nuclear power generation and military nuclear weapons.

There are about 2,000 tonnes of highly enriched uranium in the world,[3] produced mostly for nuclear power, nuclear weapons, naval propulsion, and smaller quantities for research reactors.

The 238U remaining after enrichment is known as depleted uranium (DU), and is considerably less radioactive than even natural uranium, though still very dense. Depleted uranium is used as a radiation shielding material and for armor-penetrating weapons.

  1. ^ Kondev, F. G.; Wang, M.; Huang, W. J.; Naimi, S.; Audi, G. (2021). "The NUBASE2020 evaluation of nuclear properties" (PDF). Chinese Physics C. 45 (3): 030001. doi:10.1088/1674-1137/abddae.
  2. ^ OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (2003). Nuclear Energy Today. OECD Publishing. p. 25. ISBN 9789264103283.
  3. ^ Cochran (Natural Resources Defense Council), Thomas B. (12 June 1997). "Safeguarding Nuclear Weapon-Usable Materials in Russia" (PDF). Proceedings of international forum on illegal nuclear traffic. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2012.

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