Whiskey, Rattler, Pistol & Uranium

[Old Syko]

Gunny made me curious so I had to research the uses of uranium of this type and was surprised to find out just how benign this stuff really is. Like most I would have thought it more hazardous than it is. Some of the uses for it such as coloring glass are rather interesting also. The uranium would be lightyears easier on you to handle than that snake.

Caught me early this am. I'm only on my 2nd cuppa. But yeah, it is widely used. Actually the use of the ore itself goes back several thousand years because of the variety of colors (bright yellow, green, black, etc. ). It was used for paints, including face painting, by ancient peoples.

As a side note but somewhat related, DU (depleted uranium) besides being used for ammo, is used on commercial and military aircraft. It's formed into a variety of shapes and weights for balancing rudders and other control surfaces. It's heavier than lead, and more durable so makes an excellent weight and balance part. It's also a little warm to the touch, but not hazardous for this use.

I was surprised to find it used in ships and aircraft as ballast due to the very high melting point. I would have thought that to negate some of these uses since it's neither cheap or easy to deal with molds that will accept such temperatures. I just imagine pouring this stuff in the quantities it would take as ships ballast and at those temps would be a site to see. I've spent time in steel mills and such but this would be altogether different I suspect.

[GunnyGene]

Gunny made me curious so I had to research the uses of uranium of this type and was surprised to find out just how benign this stuff really is. Like most I would have thought it more hazardous than it is. Some of the uses for it such as coloring glass are rather interesting also. The uranium would be lightyears easier on you to handle than that snake.

Caught me early this am. I'm only on my 2nd cuppa. But yeah, it is widely used. Actually the use of the ore itself goes back several thousand years because of the variety of colors (bright yellow, green, black, etc. ). It was used for paints, including face painting, by ancient peoples.

As a side note but somewhat related, DU (depleted uranium) besides being used for ammo, is used on commercial and military aircraft. It's formed into a variety of shapes and weights for balancing rudders and other control surfaces. It's heavier than lead, and more durable so makes an excellent weight and balance part. It's also a little warm to the touch, but not hazardous for this use.

I was surprised to find it used in ships and aircraft as ballast due to the very high melting point. I would have thought that to negate some of these uses since it's neither cheap or easy to deal with molds that will accept such temperatures. I just imagine pouring this stuff in the quantities it would take as ships ballast and at those temps would be a site to see. I've spent time in steel mills and such but this would be altogether different I suspect.

I don't know the processes used for this purpose. I had a small part on my desk as a paperweight when I was with Boeing - a light silver gray color. Anyway, here's some info on the various colors you'll find in the ore. And there are many pics of the various ores if you google images.

https://www.911metallurgist.com/blog/co ... -by-colors

[Vaquero]

Maybe they were headed back in time.
Didn't the Delorean in Back to the Future run off of Uranium?
Made they have a time machine somewhere.

I heard about on the radio the other morning.

RP

[ESquared]

You can't make this stuff up, can you? It's tempting to say "Only in Oklahoma," but we all know that's not accurate! Craziness knows no boundaries!