UF6

Uranium hexafluoride (UF₆) is a volatile, crystalline compound and the primary feedstock material for uranium enrichment in the nuclear fuel cycle. It exists as a solid below 64°C and sublimes directly to a gas at higher temperatures, making it uniquely suited for gaseous diffusion and centrifuge-based separation processes. UF₆ is chosen over alternative uranium compounds because its volatility enables large-scale isotopic separation with established industrial infrastructure, though its extreme reactivity with moisture and corrosivity necessitate specialized handling, storage, and processing equipment.