Progress reports are presented for the following tasks: physical and mechanical metallurgy; plutonium fuels development; and special fabrication of plutonium and other radioactive materials.

8 < 8 7 8 7 < 5 8 6 ; : 9: 2 8 9 9 ; ; < 9 : 9 : 8 8 I of transformation and fusion, of U and U- fissium alloys were completed during the year. Data are also included on cladding penetration by molten U-fissium alloys and molten Pu fuel. Irradiation studies of U-fissium and Ufissium-Zr alloys were conducted. Progress is reported on the development of methods and equipment for remote refabrication of EBR-II fuel. Development and Fabrication of EBR-I Core IV Fuel Elements. A program to investigate methods of fabricating Pu-Al reference alloy for EBR-I Core IV is described along with the production of fuel rods for this core. The procurement, fabrication, and inspection of components other than Ra material for Core N of EBR-I was continued. Data obtained in nondestructive inspection of EBR-I Core IV components are presented along with data concerning properties of and radiation effects on Al-Pu alloys. EBWR Fabrication Programs. The work in these programs was largely concenned with fabrication of a control-rod-drive assembly made of 17- 4 PH stainless steel. Fabrication of Borax-V Boiling and Superheater Fuel Elements, Control Rod Drive Shafts, and Control Rods. Data are …

Discussing a reconnaissance search made in New Mexico and adjacent states for uranium in coal and carbonaceous shale, chiefly of Mesozoic age, and black marine shale of Paleozoic age.

The deposition of film was studied in irradiated circulating loops, in which both grounded and insulated plates were in the irradiated coolant volume; the purpose of these tests was to determine the effect on rate of film formation of charges generated on particulate matter or coolant molecules in the radiation field. Heavier deposits were found on the grounded plates and currents up to 30 microamp were measured flowing to this plate. Tests in the rocking cell showed that techniques are now available whereby this apparatus can be used with confidence to screen film-forming characteristics of coolant compositions. It was demonstrated that iron percarbide (Fe/sub 20/C/sub 9/) could be made under conditions comparable to those in the OMRE. It was made from an iron chelate by carbon monoxide reduction and emphasizes the possible importance of oxygen containing chelate in the transport of iron and deposition of film. The nature of the impurities occurring in commercial Santowax was examined and some highly colored, oxygenated material isolated. The hexaphenyls produced in irradiation of m- and p-terphenyls and in the reaction of polyphenyls with hydrogen atoms was studied. Further work was initiated in the area of synthesis of reference hexaphenyls, but synthesis of new …

Separate abstracts were prepared on the 12 sections of this report. Abstracts covering 4 sections have previously appeared in NSA. A list is included of staff publications during the period covered by this report. (C.H.)