The preparation of radioactive metallurgical specimens for microscopic examination is one of the responsibilities of the Radiometallurgy Sub-Unit. An abrasive cut-off machine development program, based upon a previous experimental model, was undertaken to provide a method for sectioning of irradiated materials without undue personnel exposure or spread of contamination and finally to provide data for the design of an abrasive cutting unit for use in the work cells in the Radiometallurgy Building. A horizontal-feed type set-off machine, powered by a 7 1/2 hp motor with V-belt drive, has been developed for the submerged sectioning of irradiated uranium and is currently being used successfully to obtain samples for metallurgical, chemical and physical investigations without excessive personnel exposure or spread of radioactive contaminates.

Technical report. Areas covered are properties of uranium halides, properties of uranium nitrides, and hydride formation at high pressure.

Technical report calculating "effective removal cross sections" for Pb, Fe and O from measurements of fast neutron does in the water surrounding the BSF reactor. The values for Pb and Fe agree quite well with those previously determined from Lid tank data, whereas that for O is somewhat lower. [From Abstract]

From abstract: The estimation of beryllium oxide in beryllium metal depending on the differential solubilities of the two material in dilute hydrochloric acid is presented. The results compare favorably with the present beryllium chloride volatilization procedure. Alternate methods are described, and the limitations and possible errors are discussed.

Report documenting the progress of the Army Gas-Cooled Reactor Systems Program to develop a mobile, low-power, nuclear power plant for Military field operation.

The following report provides data taken from investigations on radiation and the different biologic effects on it.

From abstract: "Comparison of the activity produced by fast neutrons on lead with other activations corroborates the assignment of the 3.2 hr. activity as Pb209, and the assignment of the reaction as capture of fast neutrons. Two different measurements show that the neutrons captured have energies greater than 100 KEV. This average capture cross section for primary neutrons from 7.5 MEV deuterons on a thick target of beryllium is measured as 10[^]-27 ca[^]2."

The following document is meant to inform the reader on the makings of a cement base for the hot filament mass spectrometer source as part of a publication in the review of scientific instruments, "Laboratory and Shop Notes".

"A brief examination of the post irradiation grafting of machine irradiated polyethylene film with acrylic acid monomer was made. Evidence of postgrafting was detected in samples that had been irradiated to a total dose of 10 Mrads at a dose rate of 0.01 Mrad/sec. and then exposed to a 25% purified acrylic acid solution in benzene for periods of 1 to 4 days."

Abstract:"A method is described for the electroreduction of plutonium to the +3 valence state in a nitric acid-sulfamic acid solution. Exploratory experiments in the search for a coulometric titration of Pu(III) using electrolytically generated ceric ion are also described. The results strongly indicate that a convenient procedure can be devised. Suggestions for future work are presented."

Abstract: "Uranium monocarbide-Zircaloy II alloy cermets were developed and tested for chemical and physical properties. It was determined that pure uranium monocarbide can be prepared by vacuum are melting techniques. Following melting, the combination, hot pressing, and corrosion behavior of dense monocarbide has been studied. The preparation of uranium monocarbide-Zircaloy II cermet bodies was investigated by means of hot pressing, cold pressing and sintering, warm pressing, extrusion, and hot rolling. The corrosion resistance of the cermets was related to such variables as composition, preparation technique, and powder size. 01 per cent uranium monocarbide, 70 per cent zircaloy II cermets withstood corrosion tests in 680 F water. Cermets having above 30 weight per cent uranium monocarbide were not corrosion resistant."

A report regarding a drilling project at Tenderfoot Mesa, Mesa County, Colorado.

Describes the current prototype model of a linear amplifier, two-channel pulse-height analyser, two-channel count-rate meter, and count-rate difference detector for a gamma-ray spectrometer monitor developed to approach the above design criteria.

The following report presents data from the SALMON experiment, an experiment made to study the mechanics of a tamped nuclear detonation in a salt dome in terms of generated shock waves as they are propagated out of the dome and progressively through the crust and mantle of the earth. This experiment was made in the Tatum salt dome, Mississippi, October 22, 1964.

The effect of air, nitrogen, helium, argon, and a mixture of twenty volume percent of hydrogen in argon on the wetting of a stainless steel (Type 446), a two percent chromium-one half percent molybdenum type steel, and a plain carbon type steel by liquid bismuth was investigated

This report follows a test made to determine the effect of temperature on the distribution of nitric acid between "carbitol" and gunk, extracting a number of samples of aqueous copper nitrate with samples of "carbitol" of various acidities. The data obtained is covered in Table 1.

Abstract: Exposure of Sprague Dawley white rats to single doses of 900 kvp X radiation demonstrated a medium lethal dose of 600 r which was not markedly dependent upon sex, weight, or, in the case of females, stage of the estrous cycle at the time of irradiation. Deaths within 30 days were most frequent between the fourth and eighth, and between the tenth and fifteenth post- irradiation days, indicating the existence of at least two processes leading to death in the "acute" period.

A report made of the examination of a prospect in the White Signal mining district of Grant County, New Mexico.

From introduction: "The purpose of the present report is to describe briefly certain improvements that have been made in the experimental facilities and to present the results of further measurements on critical masses and spatial neutron flax distributions in Be reflected reactors having square and thin slab geometries."

Abstract: "A novel procedure employing ion exchange resins was developed to separate chromate ions from hydrogen peroxide, permitting, permitting the subsequent analysis of peroxide to determine its decomposition in sodium chromate solutions. At high pH's, peroxide was absorbed anionically on the ion exchange resins along with chromate. By selecting a resin which would be effective at nearly neutral conditions, chromate was satisfactorily separated from peroxide. It was found that the rate of peroxide decomposition in slightly alkaline sodium chromate solutions was dependent on temperature, pH, aeration, and chromate concentration. No significant effect on decomposition was caused by visible light."

"ABS>Injection trajectories were calculated for different injection conditions for the Cambridge Electron Accelerator, considering also the effect of magnetic fringing fields. The general problem of matching the emittance of the linac to the acceptance of the synchrotron in the transversal phase space is considered, and it is shown that this can be done by a set of two quadrupole lenses. In order to eliminate rudial betatron oscillations due to energy deviations of the injected particles, a pulsed electric quadrupole lens in the synchrotron in combination with two deflectors between linac and synchrotron can be used to place particles of different energies on their specific equilibrium orbits. A layout of the whole injection system following the output of the linac is given."

Report issued by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory discussing studies conducted on corrosion by fluorides. Equipment, procedures, results, and analysis is presented. This report includes tables, illustrations, and photographs.

From abstract: "To investigate the deviation of the internal conversion coefficients of E2 transitions from theoretical computations and their dependence on nuclear deformation, the total internal conversion coefficient of the 121.8-kev 2+-0+ transition in ellipsoidal Sm152[over]90 was measured to be 1.135 ± 0.010 with a high accuracy coincidence-sum method. The K-shell to total internal conversion ratio was determined to be 0.588 ± 0.003 with a [beta] spectrometer...The experiment revealed no deviation from theory nor indications of strong dependence on nuclear deformation; it therefore did not confirm recent beliefs in this regard. The details of the coincidence-sum method were described. The K electron to total electron capture ratio, from Eu152 to the 1.53 Mev state in Sm152 was also measured to be 0.79±0.02."

The following report is a study of the separating qualities of a loop-type separator that can obtain separation with a smaller pressure drop.