This report summarizes investigations taken between October 1, 1959, to September 30, 1960 with the objectives of developing high-tungsten alloys which are readily fabricable into massive and complex shapes and which possess adequate strength for operation at temperatures up to 2000 F. Within this report, studies are divided into two main categories: alloy development and material fabrication techniques

A study was made to determine the structural and functional adequacy of the EGCR graphite core design. Maximum stress and distortion of the core and the probable operating time before graphite cracking were determined. The major cause of stress is non-uniform fast-neutron flux, which causes non-uniform shrinkage of graphite components. The critical stress was found to be tensile. The criterion for determining the time of cracking of graphite columns appears to be the point at which the creep strain results in rupture. Column life before cracking may also be related to the maximum allowable stress at rupture. It was concluded that non-uniform shrinkage is the major cause of distortion of graphite components of the core. In general the amount by which a column tends to bow during 20-year core life exceeds the available free space. The combined internally generated and bowing stresses result in an average period before cracking of all core columns of 14 years, with a minimum period of 6 years. (M.C.G.)

This document details activities of the irradiation processing department during the month of November, 1960. A general summary is included at the start of the report, after which the report is divided into the following sections: Research and Engineering Operation; Production and Reactor Operations; Facilities Engineering Operation; Employee Relations Operation; Financial Operation; and NPR Project.

A technical and economic evaluation of a mercury-cooled fast breeder reactor is presented. The objectives of the program were to establish the technical feasibility of a fast breeder reactor cooled with boiling mercury and to evaluate the long-range potential of such a reactor power plant for production of economic power. Details of the conceptual design of a 100-Mw(e) reactor and system are discussed. The power cost from a mercury cooled fast breeder reactor was estimated as 21.4 mills/kwh which is competitive with the power cost for the initial Enrico Fermi plant. It was concluded that this reactor concept is technically feasible and has promising long-range economic potential. (M.C.G.)

Information obtained in a survey of control rod applications and operating experience is reported. This survey covered the Army Nuclear Power Program, the Organic Moderated Reactor Experiment, the Yankee Atomic Power Plant, the Shippingport Pressurized Water Reactor and the Argonne Experimental Boiling Water Reactor.