>Fundamental Alloying. Studies of crystal structures, reactions at metal surfaces, spectroscopy of molten salts, mechanical deformation, and alloy theory are reported. Long-Range Applied Metallurgy. A thermal comparator is described and the characteristic temperature of U0/sub 2/ determined. Sintering studies were carried out on ThO/sub 2/. The diffusion of fission products in fuel and of Al/sup 26/ and Mn/sup 54/ in Al and the reaction of Be with UC were studied. Transformation and oxidation data were obtained for a number of Zr alloys. Reactor Metallurgy. A large number of ceramic technology projects are described. Some corrosion data are given for metals exposed to impure He and molten fluorides. Studies were made of the fission-gas-retention Properties of ceramic fuel bodies. A large number of materials compatibility studies are described. The mechanical properties of some reactor materials were studied. Fabrication work was conducted to develop materials for application in low-, medium-, and high-temperature reactors or systems. A large number of new metallographic and nondestructive testing techniques are reported. Studies were carried out on the oxidation, carburization, and stability of alloys. Equipment for postirradiation examination is described. Preparation of some alloys and dispersion fuels by powder metallurgy methods was studied. The development of welding …

This report contains daily data of the D reactor`s: outlet temperature; panelist dial; panelist base; front header pressure; and downstream probe thermocouple readings.

Molecular sieves are used as the basic adsorber in a close-capture air recirculation system designed primarily for remote operation with master-siave equipment. A compact evaporator-dissolver unit provides a vessel for dissolution of an Al slug containing the radioactive material and provides an evaporator head under which volume reduction may be carried out within a specially prepared centrifuge cone. One movable condenser serves both operations. Resistance films of Pt provide heat for the centrifuge cone and for a jet of air impinging on the surface of the iiquid being evaporated. Moisture and acid vapors from the chemical operations are pumped from the main box and adsorbed on the molecular sieves in a separate enclosure. The dry air is then returned to the main box. Thus, by capturing vapors within a closed system and by continuously recirculating the box air through the absorbers, a reasonably dry atmosphere is maintained at all times within the chemistry enclosure, and corrosive action is effectively reduced. (auth)

Molecular sieves are synthetic zeolites which, when dehydrated, contain a network of empty pores and cavities that constitute almost 50% of the total volume of the crystals. They have the unique property of adsorbing within these cavities only those molecules that are small enough to pass through the pores of the crystals, Molecular sieves have a very strong affinity for water and other polar molecules. It is this selective property plus their stability and reasonable cost that make them of interest for the application described herein.

The increasing popularity of liquid-hydrogen targets in physics research has emphasized the need for containers with maximum beam transparency (i.e., thin walls and low Z) and suitable strength at cryogenic temperatures. Fabrication of a Mylar container satisfying these requirements is described here.

A need for a small vertical cylinder-type furnace arises frequently in the Chemistry Department at the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory (LRL). Adequate heat is the major requirement; close control or calibration is not usually necessary. A heating unit of this type can either be used for quickly concentrating solutions in centrifuge cones or, by the addition of a refractory pedestal--can be made into a crucible furnace for size 0 and 00 crucibles. Because much of the chemistry done at LRL is with radioisotopes, disposal of contaminated equipment is an important consideration. In general, furnaces are difficult to decontaminate, hence there was a need for a disposable type. Because nothing meeting the requirements seemed to be commercially available, the Health Chemistry Department made up a simple furnace that has proved useful.