A review of uranium corrosion by hydrogen and the formation of uranium hydride

Uranium hydride (UH3) is the direct product of the reaction between uranium metal and gaseous hydrogen. In the context of uranium storage, this corrosion reaction is considered deleterious, not just because the structure of the metal may become significantly degraded but also because the resulting hydride is pyrophoric and therefore potentially flammable in air if present in significant quantity. The current review draws from the literature surrounding the uranium-hydrogen system accrued over a 70-year period, providing a comprehensive assessment of what is known about hydride formation, decomposition and oxidation in the context of uranium storage applications