low-enriched uranium

English

Noun

low-enriched uranium (uncountable)

1. (nuclear physics) Enriched uranium with at least 2% but less than 20% uranium-235, enough to sustain a nuclear fission chain reaction in a nuclear reactor moderated by light water but not enough to allow a self-sustaining fission chain reaction without a moderator; used as the main nuclear fuel in most commercial nuclear reactors used to generate electricity.

Synonyms

• LEU

Coordinate terms

• depleted uranium
• natural uranium
• slightly-enriched uranium
• highly-enriched uranium

Derived terms

• high-assay low-enriched uranium

Translations

low-enriched uranium

• Finnish: matalarikasteinen uraani