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Abstract. Over the past quarter century, depleted uranium (DU) has replaced
tungsten alloys as the material of choice for penetrators in
armour piercing rounds in some armies, as well as a
being used as a supplement to steel in tank armour.
The tendency for adiabatic shear failure to overcome work hardening,
and increased ductility are attributed for the improved ballistic performance.
The aerosolisation of a portion of the penetrator on impact
creates a potential health hazard, particularly through ingesting resuspended aerosol
particles. Bioassays of military and civilian personnel, who were potentially
exposed to depleted uranium contamination, have failed to establish a
link between depleted uranium and symptoms of "Gulf War illness".
In fact, increased depleted uranium body burdens have usually not
been detected. Further, Canadian testing has not been able to
identify elevated levels of depleted uranium or even natural uranium
in urine, hair or bone samples of veterans.
Related topics:
personnel hazards, armour, ammunition, firepower and protection
View first page of "Andrews: Ballistic Properties of Depleted Uranium and Biological Consequences"
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