Abstract: "The niobium-carbon system has been determined by X-ray and metallographic examination of sintered and arc-cast alloys. Two carbides exist: hexagonal Nb2C with a limited range of homogeneity, and cubic NbC with a solubility range from 8.25 to 10.25 weight per cent carbon. Dilute alloys freeze by eutectic reaction at 2230 C. The solubility of carbon in niobium is 0.80 at the eutectic temperature, but this decreases rapidly with temperature. Metallographic evidence indicates a peritectic reaction between melt, Nb2C, and NbC; alloys richer in carbon than NbC freeze by eutectic reaction."

Abstract: A definitive investigation of the boron-carbon equilibrium system is being made by X-ray diffraction, metallographic, and thermal analytical techniques. On the basis of metallographic and X-ray diffraction studies it is concluded that boron carbide has a range of solubility from approximately 10 to 20 atomic per cent carbon at 1500 degrees to 2000 degrees Celsius. The melting point of the carbide-graphite eutectic has been established as 2325-2350 degrees Celsius. No reversible allotropy of the beta-rhombohedral structure has been observed. The solubility of carbon in boron is very small. The melting point of dilute carbon alloys is found to be essentially the same as that of pure boron (2040 degrees to 2050 degrees). No metallographic evidence of a three-phase reaction of dilute alloys is observed.

The following report is one of a series of quarterly reports following the progress and development of improved zirconium alloys for service in superheated water and steam. This report covers the period between January 1 to March 31, 1962 and was conducted by the United States and the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM). The major effort in this period has been devoted to ascertaining and evaluating corrosion behavior of 75 ternary compositions.

The following report is the third Quarterly Report in a series whose investigative purpose is to determine the extent to which zirconium and zirconium alloys exhibit delayed failure as caused by a combination of absorbed hydrogen and applied stress.