WASHINGTON—The National Nuclear Security Administration has successfully produced its first purified enriched uranium "button" using a new, safer process called electrorefining at the Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This achievement marks a significant step forward in modernizing U.S. nuclear security capabilities and strengthening the nation’s nuclear deterrent.
The uranium metal buttons produced through electrorefining will support national security missions, including the production of nuclear weapons and supplying uranium that powers U.S. Navy aircraft carriers and submarines.
This milestone represents the restart of uranium metal purification at Y-12 and is crucial for strengthening the nation’s nuclear deterrent. Electrorefining supports the safe, secure, and efficient modernization of the U.S. nuclear deterrent and is more efficient and safer for the workforce and the public than the process previously used in an older facility at Y-12.
The efforts to modernize the nation’s Nuclear Security Enterprise aligns with President Trump’s National Security Strategy and National Defense Strategy.
"This achievement reflects our commitment to modernizing the Nuclear Security Enterprise and ensuring the United States maintains a safe, secure, and effective nuclear deterrent under President Trump’s leadership," NNSA Administrator Brandon Williams said. "It's a testament to the dedication and ability of our teams to advance critical capabilities."
This success marks the first startup of a new nuclear processing capability at Y-12 in over 20 years.