[Andrew Garrett]

I just did some lengthy reading about depleted uranium, and I learned some interesting facts. I'll keep this short and try to stay focused on its use as a blade.

NEVER USE THIS FOR A KNIFE!

DU is pyrophoric. That means that when it is powdered or cut into thin sheets it will spontaniously ignite at temperatures far below room temperate. This is exactly why they use it for ammunition. It is an INCINDIARY round as much as an armor piercing round. The DU is twice as dense as lead and is cast as a spike with point geometry that allows it to fragment into a powder from the tip, back. It remains sharp while doing this, Thus, it continues to penetrate the armor of the target while the 'powdered' fragments ingite and burn at the same time. The tank rounds (as an example) get so hot doing this that they explode inside the target, consuming the crew in fire.

Imagine trying to forge a knife from this stuff! If it could be done, the edge would be so thin that it caught fire.

In short, depleted uranium is nothing more that nuclear waste. It comes from either the enrichment process, which produces ten times more waste (depleted) uranium than usable enriched uranium fuel. Or, it comes from spent nuclear fuel rods. This is the more dangerous type where radioactivity is concerned.

The greatest danger associated with DU is toxicity. DU corrodes quickly in water or air. The 'salts' which result are poisonous and can cause a variety of heath problems including liver damage, cancer, and birth defects.

Any use of depleted uranium is licenced by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The military applications continue to create controvery due to emerging health problems in areas where the ammunition has been used. The US Navy has already abandoned DU ammunition in its Phalynx systems in favor of Tungsten which is even denser and has no health hazards associated with it. Originaly, the military went with DU instead of Tungsten because it was cheaper (since we had tons of the stuff laying around in nuclear waste storage facilities). Way to go Uncle Sam!

All that being said, depleted uranium has found its way into the civilian market as well. It has been used to provide that 'flourecent glow' to false teeth. No kiddin'! It is also used as balast in such things as counter-balances, sail boat keels, and commercial aircraft. The appeal is the heavy wieght in such a small space. Many aircraft builders have stopped using DU due to health concerns.

Bottom line: In my humble opinion, if you bring nuclear waste into your home as a war trophy, souvenier, or interesting novelty item, you are doing a disservice to yourself, your family, and your unsuspecting neighbors.