This report follows a series of tests run to determine the shielding properties of beryllium oxide, conducted at the Battelle Lid-Tank Shielding Facility. Neutron and gamma penetrations through and behind beryllium oxide were measured.

The following report presents neutron-flux measurements made with a concentric-cylinder element (Mark II) and includes axial, radial, and peripheral flux distributions.

Abstract: The nonmetallic inclusions in both as-reduced and fabricated dingot uranium have been studied for comparison with those in ingot uranium. Special attention was paid to the hydride for the purpose of determining the amount and distribution in the various types of uranium. The types and distribution of other inclusions were also studied. It was found that the dingot uranium was of a higher quality than ingot uranium and was comparable to as-reduced derby uranium on the basis of over-all inclusion count. The hydrogen content in dingot uranium, however, was found to be appreciably higher than in either ingot or derby uranium.

Abstract: A description is given of the design and operation of a windowed autoclave system employed in the study of corrosion by pressurized hot water. The device has been used to obtain time-lapse motion pictures of the swelling and rupture of deliberately defected zirconium-clad uranium specimens. A method is described by which corrosion rates were calculated from pressure and temperature measurements. A typical set of pictures taken during a test is presented, and corrosion rates are reported for uranium-0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 w/o zirconium alloys subjected subjected to 600 F water.

Abstract: "Thorium tubes were cold drawn from extruded tube stock and also from drilled hot-rolled rod. Total reductions up to approximately 85 per cent were accomplished by conventional tube-drawing methods, without an intermediate anneal. The hard-drawn tubes had high tensile strength, but the ductility, as indicated by flaring and flattening tests, was low."

Abstract: "Dissolution of carnotite in several readily liquefiable gases, including ammonia, sulfur dioxide, chlorine, and nitrogen dioxide, was found to be negligible, even in the presence of uranium complexing agents. No low-boiling liquids have been found which will dissolve carnotite directly. Treatment with various sulfur chloride will convert carnotite to a form soluble in water or in certain organic solvents. Also, carnotite can be readily dissolved in HCl-acidified ethanol, methanol, or acetone. Amenability tests on nine western ores with HCl-methanol solvent indicated that uranium extractions greater than 90 per cent could be obtained if sufficient acid was used to insure some free acidity in the pregnant liquor. Temple Mountain and Sinbad-Muddy River ores were exceptions to this, uranium extractions being only about 50-60 per cent. Vanadium extractions were invariably lower than uranium extractions. Chemical analyses are presented for nine western ores."

Abstract: "The protection of thorium in hot water was studied. Copper electrocladding on thorium offers promising protection against hot water. The corrosion of thorium in 95 C water was reduced appreciably by a thorium phosphate film. The results of this abbreviated investigation offer a basis for the development of a method of protecting thorium at elevated temperatures in corrosive media."

Abstract: "X-ray and microscopic examination of slags from uranium metal production bombs which gave good and bad yields in the plant at St. Louis have indicated the significance of uranium oxide formation. Apparently the oxide (UO2) results from reaction of the UF4 with linear material, particularly with moisture in the liner."

This report follows an investigation made on the welding of Ames thorium by the inert-gas-shielded tungsten-arc process as the first part of a program on the joining of thorium. This program is part of a broader research program to develop the technology of thorium.