Yellowcake
Yellowcake (also known as urania and uranic oxide) is concentrated uranium oxide, obtained through the milling of uranium ore. It is usually represented by the formula U3O8. It is radioactive, consisting of brown to black rhombic crystals which are insoluble in water and contain about 80% uranium oxide, and melts at approximately 2878°C.
Yellowcake is used in the preparation of fuel for nuclear reactors and in uranium enrichment, one of the essential steps for creating nuclear weapons. For uranium fuel preparation, it is processed into purified uranium dioxide (UO2) for use in fuel rods. For uranium enrichment, it is converted to uranium hexafluoride gas (UF6), which is then repeatedly boiled and condensed to produce enriched uranium suitable for use in weapons and reactors.
