A detailed analysis of the PM-2A steam generator tube sheet revealed that is is safe from strain cycling damage. The pressure stresses, however, indicated that permanent deformation would take place in the tube sheet at hydrostatic test pressure of 1.5 times design pressure. (auth)

The detailed stress analysis of the SM-1 steam generator tube sheet showed it to be safe from strain cycling damage. However, the pressure stresses were greater than the yield strength during the hydrostatic test. The differential between pressure stresses and yield strength indicates that some initial deformation may have taken place in the tube sheet. (auth)

Research and development progress is reported on plastics, Ranger x-ray sensor, radioelements, isotope separation and purification, and reactor fuels and materials development. (M.C.G.)

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Will Wilson, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Exemption from inheritance tax of devise and bequest to United Texas Drys.

Fabrication of internal reflector pieces for the SNAP-8 core is described. These reflectors were made of BeO, with and without the addition of Sm/sub 2/O/sub 3/ as a nuclear poison. Because of the high density and dimensional tolerance requirements, the complexity of shapes, and the comparatively modest number of parts to be produced (approximately 1000), the blanks were hot pressed and subsequently machined with diamond wheels and cores. In almost all cases, the specified density of 98% of theoretical was achieved. The low eutectic temperature in the BeO--Sm/sub 2/O/sub 3/ system of about 1420 deg C necessitated special pressing parameters, which were arrived at by experimentation. A rather coarse grit size (80) was used for the diamond wheels, which resulted in very little wear to the wheels, and an extremely low dimensional rejection rate on the blanks. Because of the toxicity of BeO, all equipment was enclosed, and was held under negative pressure. (auth)

In May, 1961, it waa determined no renewed nuclear reaction in the SL-1 pressure vessel was possible as long as water was excluded. It was therefore possible to proceed with the final phase of the SL-1 recovery. This work consisted of moving the pressure vessel and core to the Hot Shop at the north end of the National Reactor Testing Station, dissecting and analyzing the reactor and its components, cutting up and burying the reactor building, and decontaminating the rest of the SL-1 area. These things were accomplished by the General Electric Company between May 1961 and July 1962. It was determined that the central control rod was bound in its shroud at a position corresponding to 20- inch withdrawal. Analysis of the pertinent data showed that the amount of reactivity associated with this rod position, inserted at a rate compatihie with manual withdrawal of the rod, can explain the significant evidence which was coliected. No other means of withdrawing the rod was found to be in accordance with the evidence. It was found that the relatively low yield (130 Mw-sec) nuclear excursion produced a water hammer with pressures up to 10,000 psi, which, in turn, caused the pressure vessel …