Table 2 Physical and Chemical Properties of Plutonium - DOE-HDBK-1145-2001

Radiological Safety Training for Plutonium Facilities

DOEHDBK11452001

Student's Guide

Table 2 contains a brief summary of some of the

features of this metal.

Table 2

Physical and Chemical Properties of Plutonium

Density

15.9-19.9 g/cm , depending on metal phase. Loose

PuO2 powder has a density of about 2 g/cm , and

sintered pellets have a density of 10.3-11.0 g/cm .

640 C

Melting point (pure metal)

Up to 2000 C; varies with alloy.

Alloys

3327 C

Boiling point (pure metal)

Slow in dry air. Rapid under moist conditions or

Oxidation rate

when heated. May result in a low spontaneous

ignition temperature.

Dissolves readily in concentrated hydrochloric,

Action of acids and bases

hydriodic, and perchloric acids. Attacked by most

dilute acids; not readily attacked by concentrated

sulfuric and nitric acids or sodium hydroxide

solutions.

Plutonium metal has proven to be quite pyrophoric

under certain conditions. It reacts with oxygen very

slowly in dry air, but rapidly in moist conditions, or

when the metal is heated.

A pyrophoric reaction can happen with larger

pieces of plutonium; however, fire is more likely to

occur when the plutonium is in a more dispersed form,

such as chips, powder, or turnings. For this reason, it

is handled in a moisture-free (dry air) or oxygen-free

(inert) atmosphere. Note: With an atmosphere that

contains only 5% oxygen, the metal will burn easily.

However, when the oxygen content is reduced to 1%,

a fire will not continue to burn unless heat is supplied.