2.3.1 Atomic vapor laser isotope separation (AVLIS).Despite being mildly radioactive, depleted uranium is also an effective radiation shielding material. The 238U remaining after enrichment is known as depleted uranium (DU), and is considerably less radioactive than even natural uranium, though still very dense and extremely hazardous in granulated form – such granules are a natural by-product of the shearing action that makes it useful for armor- penetrating weapons. There are about 2,000 tonnes of highly enriched uranium in the world, produced mostly for nuclear power, nuclear weapons, naval propulsion, and smaller quantities for research reactors. The International Atomic Energy Agency attempts to monitor and control enriched uranium supplies and processes in its efforts to ensure nuclear power generation safety and curb nuclear weapons proliferation. Įnriched uranium is a critical component for both civil nuclear power generation and military nuclear weapons.

235U is the only nuclide existing in nature (in any appreciable amount) that is fissile with thermal neutrons. Proportions of uranium-238 (blue) and uranium-235 (red) found naturally versus enriched gradesĮnriched 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.

Factorio uranium