This quarterly progress details the ongoing work of the Protective Equipment Evaluation Program at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Topics discussed include aerosol generation, penetration studies, particle size measurement, and an appendix with analytical methods.

Technical report outlining the effect of strain rate on the tensile properties of thorium. It has been found that the yield strength increases slightly with increasing strain rate, and that tensile strength increases but to a less extent. Studies on the fabrication of thorium by extrusion and drawing have continued, as have studies on the extrusion cladding of thorium and uranium with zirconium. [From Summary}

This quarterly progress report details the ongoing research and experiments at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory as part of the Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion Project. The first part of this report discusses reactor theory and design. The second part of this report is not included. The third part of this report discusses materials research. The fourth part of this report includes appendixes

Optical and morphological properties of 28 compounds of uranium, plutonium, americium and some related elements, belonging to 21 isomorphous groups, are described. Additional data are given on 5 compounds of similar type described in the National Nuclear Energy Series, Division IV, Volume w, Chapter 19, “Actinide Elements.”

New reactors presently in design or construction stages, as well as revised operating procedures for existing reactors, have shown an increasing emphasis on extending the exposure time of the reactor fuel elements. However, operating experience at Hanford, as at other installations, has demonstrated that as the amount of burn-up in uranium metal is increased an increase is also noted in operational difficulties resulting from the dimensional behavior of the fuel. During reactor irradiation uranium slugs or rods have been observed to change in length and diameter, to warp, and to develop surface roughening.