uraniumplutonium

Uraniumplutonium is not a single substance but a reference to the roles of uranium and plutonium in nuclear science. Both are actinide metals with long-lived radioisotopes and similar chemistry, forming the core of many energy and defense programs. In civilian use, uranium provides fuel; plutonium can be produced in reactors and recycled as MOX fuel or used as a fissile material under strict controls.

Key isotopes include U-235, the fissile component of natural and enriched uranium, and U-238, the most abundant, fertile isotope. Natural uranium contains about 0.7% U-235. Plutonium, especially Pu-239, is produced from U-238 in reactors and is also fissile. Other isotopes such as Pu-240 affect reactor behavior and reliability. Typical half-lives are: U-235 ~7.0×10^8 years, U-238 ~4.5×10^9 years, Pu-239 ~2.4×10^4 years.

Production and fuel cycles: Uranium is mined, refined, converted, and enriched to raise the share of U-235 for reactor fuel. In reactors, U-238 captures neutrons to form Pu-239, which can be separated from spent fuel through reprocessing (PUREX) and used in MOX fuel or other applications.

Applications and safeguards: Uranium and plutonium enable civilian power generation and, in certain forms, weapons. Handling requires radiological protection and criticality safety. International safeguards, under measures such as the IAEA and the NPT, regulate production, processing, and transfer to prevent diversion of materials.

Environmental and historical context: Mining and milling produce radioactive waste; spent fuel management remains a major challenge. The uranium-plutonium complex played a central role in 20th-century science, industry, and arms control.