Metallographic examination of an irradiated powder metal uranium slug from PT-313-105-4M⁽¹⁾ was undertaken primarily as an evaluation of recently remotized metallographic equipment. It was, also, proposed to compare the grain size with values obtained ultrasonically on the same slug. It was further proposed to make a comparison, so far as limited data permitted, of post-irradiated powder metal uranium grain size with that to be expected from normal uranium similarly irradiated.

The hydrogen contents of several types of fabricated uranium have been determined by a vacuum method and expressed in terms of ccH2/ccU. The data indicate that alpha-rolled metal contains about 0.25 ccH2(STP)/ccU whereas beta heat-treated uranium yielded values between 0.30 and 0.37 cc per cc. Restricted efforts were made to determine where in the heat treatment the 5 to 10 cc of hydrogen per slug were taken up. It appears that no one operation is wholly responsible for this additional gas, although reactions between beta heat treated surfaces containing microscopic defects, and nitric acid may possibly play a large role. In general it may be said that slug produced by powder metallurgical techniques contain less hydrogen than pieces produced by rolling and heat treatment.

This report discusses preliminary results acquired from investigations made on the ultrasonic properties of uranium, such as sonic vibrations in the megacycle frequency range.

From abstract: "The purpose of this investigation was to establish basic rates of formation of chemical films deposited on aluminum surfaces from water flowing over such surfaces. It was desired to obtain specific information, within certain ranges, as to the influence of temperature, water velocity, and type of aluminum on the rate of film formation."