A report about the mechanical properties of dilute uranium alloys which might be crucial to developing high strength alloys for possible use as fuel.

Summary. The effect of the conduction electrons on the stopping power of metals has been considered from two essentially different points of view. No numerical calculations have been carried out, because we have found no completely satisfactory was of computing Z'e, the effective charge on the moving ion. A rather crude estimate made on the basis of the Thomas-Fermi atomic model indicates that Z'2/E is roughly constant. Using this relation one finds that the stopping power of the conduction electrons is of the same order of magnitude as the stopping power due to bound electron excitation, and is important for the greater part of the range of the particle.

Quarterly progress reports on various projects in the Chemistry Division.

This report summarizes the research and development work carried out during March, April and May, 1959, for Budget Activity 2790 - Separations Development for Non-Production Reactors, The effort on Activity 2790 will enable Hanford to begin reprocessing in January, 1962, the fuel elements from power reactors which employ depleted or slightly enriched uranium fuels.

The Single Tube Prototype Mockup (STPM) was constructed to be used as a tool to evaluate the mechanical problems involved in operating and maintaining many components of the Plutonium Recycle Test Reactor (PRTR). This report has been written to acquaint interested HAPO components with the capability of the STPM and for use as an aid in scheduling tests and/or to properly evaluate testing results obtained from the mockup.

The 300A and loop were operated for 2862 hr with thorium oxide slurry at 1500 psi and 280ºC to determine the effects vane inlet and exit geometries on impeller wear, the wear rate of aluminum oxide bearings in this size pump, and the operating characteristics of the loop. The thoris, a 1600*C-fired oxide, had a mean particle size of approximately 2 u. Average circulating slurry concentration was approximately 450 grams of thorium per kilogram of water and average flow rate was approximately 300 gpm.

Ultrasonic inspection for subsurface flaws is widely used in American industry. This report reviews the general principles and specific techniques of ultrasonic testing. The information is based on a review of the technical literature plus the experience of the Quality Assurance Department at Sandia Corporation in applying this nondestructive testing technique to quality evaluation programs.