This study was started in May 1949 to find methods of reducing the number of element failures in the salt bath bronze furnaces. Determining the cause of the failure and methods of eliminating them is followed to completion.

Summary: "The low carbon 18-8 stainless steels containing approximately 1.7 per cent boron used for vertical safety rods at Hanford were found to be structurally stable in the temperature range 0-450 C. The addition of boron decreases the stability of this metastable austenitic alloy. Sufficient ferrite formation is induced by sub-zero temperature treatments to result in dimensional changes and a magnetic alloy. The difficulties encountered in machining this material are believed to be due primarily to segregation in the castings resulting in small areas of the hard intermetallic compound, FeB."

Previously, W. S. Figg and T. W. Ambrose (HW-51767 Rev) have investigated the problem of flow decay following electrical power loss to the PRTR primary coolant pumps. However, since the time of their study many reactor piping changes have been made in the design; therefore, it has become advisable to re-examine the problem incorporating these changes.