The solubilities of uraninm, thorium, gadelinium, sama rinm, and neodymium in mereury were determined from room temperatare to 356 deg C. Equations of the form log of solubility (wt.%) = a + b/T were developed for these metals. Integral heats of solution were calculated for each. The solubilities of ruthenium, palladium, zirconium, and molybdenum in mercury in the presence of excess uranium were determined; the low solubility of zirconium and molybdenum gave solutions with a concentration below the limit of detection in the analytical method used. Their values are reported as an upper solubility limit. Uranium solubility in a 0.1 wt.% magnesium amAlgam was approximately 1.2 to 1.5 times greater than in mercury alone. When uranium and thorium were present in the same mercury solution, their solubilities were mutually depressed. (auth)

Current results indicate probable over-all rates of about 0.2 mils/month for titanium vs. 1.5 to 3.0 mils/month for Ni-o-nel. Tests are not 100% comparable due to changes made in flowsheet conditions, but they have been of sufficient variation and length as to allow good predictions to be made. Both metals show some tendency toward local attack in Thorex solutions. These tendencies are increased by poor welding techniques. There is a possibility that a Ni-onel dissolver could be used for interim Zirflex processing although the rates obtained in scouting tests are relatively high (6 to 8 mils/month). Titanium shows no promise of usefulness in either Zirflex or Sulfex on the basis of scouting tests. It can be used for dissolution of U-Al fuels in 8M HNO/sub 3/- Hg(N0/sub 3/)/sub 2/ (rate < 1 mil/month). If the choice between these two processes were made on the basis of present corrosion results alone, Darex-Thorex would be chosen. (auth)

None