Thursday, December 10, 2009

Fissile

In nuclear engineering, a fissile material is one that is capable of sustaining a chain reaction of nuclear fission.

By definition, fissile materials can sustain a chain reaction with neutrons of any energy. Thus the predominant neutron energy may be typified by either slow neutrons (i.e. a thermal system) or fast neutrons. Hence fissile materials can be used to fuel:

  • A thermal reactor, with a neutron moderator
  • A fast reactor, with no moderator
  • A nuclear explosive

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