Uranium oxides U3O8
Uranium oxide is one of the products obtained from uranium metal processing. In the non-nuclear field, uranium oxide is used as an ingredient in the production of glass. The product emerging from the glass melting process is yellow, yellow-green or yellow-brown, in dependence on the amount of uranium present. Additional colours from the whole spectrum can be achieved by adding other chemical elements as ingredients.
Uranium in glass causes the material to fluoresce, and the colour of the glass is different in dependence on whether it is viewed in incident light or in transmitted light. The yellow-green fluorescence in UV light is an important property as well. Chemical purity of the oxide is very high (material of nuclear purity). The manufacturer guarantees the contents of alloying materials (especially Mo).
Uranium oxides are used in the manufacture of decorative articles produced by the following glass works: