Thats a good one

in [link|http://www.antenna.nl/wise/uranium/dviss.html#ACW|747 airplanes] and elsewhere. It would be ironic, wouldn't it, if jb4 had some in his John Deere snowblower? >:-) (It made a lot more sense when I thought I was replying to Mike M...)

The main reasons why it's used in ammunition are: 1) It's dense - it packs a big punch in a small volume, 2) It's cheap ("practically free" is claimed in some articles I've seen), 3) It's "self sharpening" as it passes through armor. It doesn't mushroom, thus it penetrates very well.

Tungsten, a similar though non-radioactive heavy metal is less toxic but expensive. We have to import it from China and Russia. It's slightly less dense so doesn't work quite as well as DU.

Osmium and Iridium are the two densest elements, but they're precious metals (similar to platinum) and very expensive. I don't think that even the Lone Ranger could afford iridium bullets....

In a granite house you'd have to worry about [link|http://www.physics.isu.edu/radinf/radon.htm|radon] which has reaction products that are alpha emitters, just like uranium. Hmmm. Granite's a lot more expensive (it's not free), but the cost of getting a license to use DU and the transportation costs probably don't lean in DU's favor. ;-j

Bottom line: Any real material has pluses and minuses.

[edit:] Mixed up jb4 with Mike again. :-( Sorry guys.

Cheers,
Scott.

Post #197,268 by Silverlock 3/4/05 10:06:16 PM Reply	Thats a good one It's just like granite.You can build houses out of it, Try again. ----------------------------------------- "In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for. As for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican." -- H. L. Mencken
Post #197,274 by Another Scott 3/4/05 11:46:30 PM 3/4/05 11:58:58 PM Reply	It is used for ballast and counterweights in [link\|http://www.antenna.nl/wise/uranium/dviss.html#ACW\|747 airplanes] and elsewhere. It would be ironic, wouldn't it, if jb4 had some in his John Deere snowblower? >:-) (It made a lot more sense when I thought I was replying to Mike M...) The main reasons why it's used in ammunition are: 1) It's dense - it packs a big punch in a small volume, 2) It's cheap ("practically free" is claimed in some articles I've seen), 3) It's "self sharpening" as it passes through armor. It doesn't mushroom, thus it penetrates very well. Tungsten, a similar though non-radioactive heavy metal is less toxic but expensive. We have to import it from China and Russia. It's slightly less dense so doesn't work quite as well as DU. Osmium and Iridium are the two densest elements, but they're precious metals (similar to platinum) and very expensive. I don't think that even the Lone Ranger could afford iridium bullets.... In a granite house you'd have to worry about [link\|http://www.physics.isu.edu/radinf/radon.htm\|radon] which has reaction products that are alpha emitters, just like uranium. Hmmm. Granite's a lot more expensive (it's not free), but the cost of getting a license to use DU and the transportation costs probably don't lean in DU's favor. ;-j Bottom line: Any real material has pluses and minuses. [edit:] Mixed up jb4 with Mike again. :-( Sorry guys. Cheers, Scott. Edited by Another Scott March 4, 2005, 11:58:58 PM EST Expand All History
Post #197,520 by jb4 3/7/05 1:38:50 PM Reply	Hint: Mike flies airplanes. I fly in airplanes. I hope that clarifies things.... ;-) jb4 shrub\ufffdbish (Am., from shrub* + rubbish, after the derisive name for America's 43 president; 2003) n. 1. a form of nonsensical political doubletalk wherein the speaker attempts to defend the indefensible by lying, obfuscation, or otherwise misstating the facts; GIBBERISH. 2. any of a collection of utterances from America's putative 43rd president. cf.* BULLSHIT
Post #197,530 by Another Scott 3/7/05 2:52:09 PM Reply	Perfectly. :-)

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