Abstract
A pulse heating apparatus capable of initial heating rates of 7000 to 165 000°C/sec on 0.3175 cm diam samples of zirconium‐uranium hydrides is described. Currents from 1000 to 5000 A are used. Potential drops, current, electrical resistivity, power input, sample temperature, and rate of hydrogen evolution as a function of time are recorded simultaneously during millisecond pulses. In addition, elongation, uniformity of heating, and sample temperature are recorded using high speed photography. The behavior of reactor fuels during large power transients has been observed using this apparatus. Properties which have been measured include specific heat, coefficient of expansion, electrical resistivity, phase transformations, heats of decomposition, and rates of hydrogen diffusion.

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