The object of this project is to conduct studies on the coating of metals and alloys by the gas plating process. Coatings to be studied consist of chromium on copper; alloys of nickel chromium on copper; molybdenum on stainless steel and Inconel; chromium on stainless steel and Inconel; and tungsten and molybdenum and their carbides on stainless steel and Inconel.

The Lindemann assumption of direct contact of neighboring atoms at fusion is replaced by the criterion that melting occurs when the root-mean-square amplitude of thermal vibration reaches a critical fraction ρ, presumed the same for all isotropic monatomic solids, of the distance of separation of nearest-neighbor atoms. The Debye-Waller theory of the temperature dependence of the intensity of Bragg reflection of x-rays is used, without further assumptions, to derive a generalized Lindemann law. In contrast to the Lindemann form, all physical quantities involved in this formulation are evaluated at the fusion point, and departure of the average energy of an atomic oscillation from the equipartition value is taken into account by the quantization factor of the Debye-Waller theory. If the Grüneisen constant γm of the solid at fusion is evaluated by its definition from the Debye frequency of the solid, use of the generalized Lindemann law and Clapeyron's equation permits one to express γm in terms of the bulk modulus of the solid at melting and the latent heat and volume change of fusion. By means of Grüneisen's law applied to the solid at fusion, γm can be expressed likewise in terms of the corresponding bulk modulus, thermal expansion, volume, …

Theory of operation and test results are given for a resistance type of liquid metal level instrument. The voltage across a steel rod in the tank is amplified by a magnetic amplifier and indicated by a milliammeter. Temperature compensation is provided for tank temperatures up to 1000 F.

This technical report reports progress in the following areas: (1) Effect of scaling time; (2) Influence of specimen shape; (3) Effect of pretreatment; (4) Possible mechanism of growth; and (5) Future work.

An alpha scintillation method for the analysis of uranium accumulation in plants as an indicator of uranium deposits in the soil was developed.

The kinetics of transformation of zirconium binary alloys is being pursued. Mechanical property variation as a function of transformation if also being investigated. Zirconium-tin and zirconium-titanium alloys transform very rapidly when quenched from the beta field. These alloys have, generally speaking, been demonstrated to be not amenable to heat treatment in the normal sense of the word. Eutectoid alloys, principally zirconium-molybdenum alloys, have shown a definite response to heat treatment in terms of mechanical property variation. An embrittling agent, probably "omega" phase, is suspect at this time for the brittleness observed in certain molybdenum alloys and the very high hardness levels reached in other alloys such as zirconium-niobium and zirconium-thorium. Work to establish the existence of omega phase is in progress and, it is hoped, suggestions for avoiding the brittle condition associated with it will be forthcoming.

This paper discusses the forbidden and allowed harmonics of a hollow cylinder of barium titanate vibrating in the radial mode.

As an aid in forecasting possible blast damage in areas distant from a bomb burst point, a special-purpose electronic analog computer has been developed. Sound ray paths (orthogonal trajectories to sound wave front) are computed as a function of meteorological conditions.

Thorium bismuthide when crystallized from a solution i bismuth results in large platelets which may be as large a 1 centimeter in diameter. A slurry of these platelets is difficult to pump through pipe lines and filters. The particle size can be reduced by (1) very rapid cooing (approximately 1000 degree C per second) or (2) ultrasonic treatment. The latter, much easier to attain in large scale, gives equiaxed particles of thorium bismuthide.