A study was made of fiber-texture type of preferred orientation in extruded Al rods and brass sheeting. Experiments to purify Zr by the zone- melting techniques were studied. Several transformation products of the decomposition of the BETA eutectoid of the Ag--Zr system were identified. The tempering of the martensitic structure of a hypoeutectoid Ag-- Zr was studied. Metallurgical treatments for the recovery of U from spent stainless steel fuel elements were investigated. Physical properties and radiation stability of the Si-- SiC fuel element material were investigated. The development and fabrication of a uniform fuel-bearing sandwich plate were continued. Methods of welding stainless steel were studied. An evaluation study was made of brazing alloys on the basis of corrosion resistance, neutron economy, flow temperature, availability, and cost. (C.H.)