Corium (nuclear reactor) from the pre-meltdown reactor or be due to spontaneous fission of reactor-created actinides. In the absence of adequate cooling, the materials inside of the reactor vessel overheat and deform as they undergo thermal expansion, and the reactor structure fails once the temperature reaches the melting point of its structural materials. The corium melt then accumulates at the bottom of the reactor vessel. In the case of adequate cooling of the corium melt, the melt can solidify and the spread of damage is limited to the reactor itself. However, corium may melt through the reactor vessel and flow out or be
Nuclear reactor physics to sustain a chain reaction increases as the U content increases, reaching infinity at 94% U (6% U). Concentrations lower than 6% U cannot go fast critical, though they are usable in a nuclear reactor with a neutron moderator. A nuclear weapon primary stage using uranium uses HEU enriched to ~90% U, though the secondary stage often uses lower enrichments. Nuclear reactors with water moderator require at least some enrichment of U. Nuclear reactors with heavy water moderation can operate with natural uranium, eliminating altogether the need for enrichment and preventing the fuel from being useful for nuclear weapons; the