Summary: "A corrosion test of aluminum components in a 4-ft. section of a fuel tube has been tested under conditions simulating plant geometry and, as nearly as possible, the operating conditions of water purity, temperature, and flow rate. Results: 1. None of the aluminum components, 63S fuel tube, 2S solid fillers and 43S spacers showed any corrosion effects beyond normal oxide film formation. This was carried out in flowing water, maintained at a specific resistivity greater than 1 x 10(6) ohm-cm, for four weeks. 2. No corrosion pitting was observed on any of the aluminum surfaces; all became covered with a uniform film of Al2O3.H2O. On the boat tails, where type 304 stainless steel fins were in galvanic contact with 2S aluminum, no pitting or preferential attack occurred."

Summary: Purpose of the investigation is to improve the peripheral welding of the brazed joint at the top of aluminum-sheathed fuel slugs by forming the can over the top of the cap and welding the resulting center opening. This investigation looked at the applicability of the inert-gas-shielded, consumable electrode process, using commercially available equipment, for producing a weld closure in spun-over fuel cans. Using commercially available sigma welding equipment, no practical combination of welding conditions was found which resulted in satisfactory leak-tight closures in spun-over canned fuel slugs. It is recommended that plug welding of spun-over closures by the sigma welding process be dismissed from consideration for start-up at the Savannah River Plant.