UF6 is a grayish-white crystalline solid, which is highly corrosive and very reactive with water. It is a solid at room temperature, but can be easily converted into a gaseous form at a slightly elevated temperature. UF6 is essential for further refinement of uranium.

UF6 is refined from the uranium yellowcake, and is more refined. Refinement is available at several facilities worldwide. UF6 is referred to as natural uranium hexafluoride. As it undergoes SWU, part of the compound depletes and becomes depleted uranium hexafluoride. The other portion of the UF6 becomes enriched UF6, necessary for the next step in refinement. Currently there is capacity to produce nearly 40 million more SWU of UF6 annually.