Conversion time is the time required to convert
different forms of nuclear material to the metallic components of a
nuclear explosive device. Conversion time does not include the time
required to transport diverted material to the conversion facility
or to assemble the device, or any subsequent period. The diversion
activity is assumed to be part of a planned sequence of actions
chosen to give a high probability of success in manufacturing one
or more nuclear explosive devices with minimal risk of discovery
until at least one such device is manufactured. The conversion time
estimates applicable at present under these assumptions are
provided in the table below.
| Beginning Material Form |
Conversion Time |
| Pu, HEU, or 233U metal |
Order of days (7-10) |
| PuO2, Pu(NO3)4, or other pure
Pu compounds; HEU or 233U oxide or other pure U
compounds; MOX ro other non-irradiated pure mixtures containing Pu,
U (233U + 235U >= 20%); Pu, HEU, and/or
233U in scrap or other miscellaneous impure
compounds |
Order of weeks (1-3)a |
| Pu, HEU, or 233U in irradiated fuel |
Order of months (1-3) |
| U containing < 20% 235U and 233U;
Th |
Order of months (3-12) |
aThis range is not determined by
any single factor but the pure Pu and U compounds will tend to be
at the lower end of the range and the mixtures and scrap at the
higher end.
