Bulk Density of Separated Lithium Isotopes

Abstract

The bulk density of extruded specimens of natural lithium and of enriched isotopes (>99%) was measured by the flotation‐equilibrium and by the hydrostatic‐balance methods. Upon correction for the slight chemical and isotopic impurities and upon reduction to 20°C, the following results were obtained for the bulk density in g/cm³: lithium‐6, 0.460±0.002; lithium‐7, 0.537±0.003; lithium‐natural, 0.531±0.001. The crystal densities, calculated from the lattice constants determined by x‐ray diffraction, are respectively 0.462, 0.539, 0.533, in each case about half a percent higher than the bulk density.