Experiments have been carried out to determine the solid-liquid phase diagrams of binary mixtures of FEFO, EDNP, BDNPA and BDNPF. Cooling curves for the mixtures give no indication of crystal formation. Penetration measurements indicate a glass transition for all of the mixtures below {minus}40 C. The existence of glassy states for the mixtures was confirmed by visual observation with a polarizing microscope. Thermomicroscopy has been used in the preliminary study of the phase behavior of four binary mixtures. So far no eutectic has been observed.

Several extrudable HE formulations using, principally, HNAB as the explosive component were examined in efforts to develop an extrudable composition more temperature-resistant than Extex. It is shown that extrudability is dependent upon particle character, wetting of the binder compound, roll-milling technique and the addition of fine metallic oxides to improve flow properties, while detonability is dependent upon explosive concentration, a hard cure, and the shock parameters of the confining media.

Five batches of unplasticized AFNOL, each approximately one pound, were synthesized using 4,4-dinitropimelic acid as the starting material. Two 10 g batches were completed prior to the pound batches to assure the usability of the acid chloride. Characterization of each of the larger batches was by differential thermal analysis (DTA), infrared spectrophotometry (IR), and cure tests. Some characterization was also done on the commercial chemicals used in the synthesis.

A total of nine batches of pressable baratol and pressable Composition B-3 were made and analyzed. One pressing was made for P/040 fabrication and test fire. The first P/040 plane wave lenses designed were fabricated and fired, yielding a center-leading average of 0.17 {micro}sec asimultaneity. The interface contour was redesigned and two lenses were fabricated and fired, resulting in center-lagging asimultaneity of 0.098 {micro}sec and 0.074 {micro}sec.

Several different shaped-charge configurations were tested. Charges with an included angle of 60{degree} and brass conical liners were determined to be more satisfactory. Existing loading equipment was used to extrude Rx-08-BD into the final design.

About 150 process-development pressings were made in prototype tooling. Problems arose which include stress cracking caused by difficult stripping of the part from the mandrel. Pressings made of PBX 9404 presented none of these problems. The primary effort is being directed toward developing a process for LX-09 and LX-04 pressings which at present are the problem areas.

The work this period concentrated on packaging RTV silicone fluids in a commercial purchased package-bag. The samples will be stored for a period of six months at ambient temperature. Because of the rigid film of the Bipax Bag, it is doubtful that this method of packaging silicones will develop into an acceptable process. To enhance this process, a more pliable bag should be incorporated into the packaging system.

Parylene is the generic name for members, e.g. parylene N,C,D of a thermoplastic polymer series developed by Union Carbide (Reta is a trade name for the materials). All of the members are laid down by a vacuum, vapor deposition process. The properties and uses for each member of the series differ from each other, but collectively the Parylenes have a wide range of applications. Gas permeability and moisture vapor transmission of Parylene C are very low. These properties make Parylene potentially very useful with or near explosives or components. One of the forms, Parylene C--the monomer of dichloro-di-p-xyly-lene--is potentially attractive. Its density is 1.29 g/cc. In this study the initial emphasis will be on the feasibility of coating HE particles. Substrates of diminishing particle size will be encapsulated to establish the particle-size limitation of the process.

Mild detonating fuse (MDF) is capable of consistent detonation velocity and thus provides an accurate timing device when precisely fabricated. Explosives that have been synthesized and designated for use in MDF should be qualified in the end use configuration. Polycarbonate tubes/HNAB were drawn to 85 grain/foot (gr/ft) and test fired. Aluminum tubes/PETN were drawn to 0.8 gr/ft and test fired. Aluminum tubes/HNAB were drawn to 2 gr/ft and test fired to qualify HNAB Lot 1281-11-01 made at Pantex.

In addition to the DTA, X-ray diffraction, and Henkin test results on silvered BTF reported earlier; impact sensitivity via drop hammer and chemical reactivity via gas chromatography were conducted with all results generally indicating no significant compatibility problems. One larger batch, {approximately} 15 grams of silvered BTF was made from which pressed-to-shape pellets were fabricated at a desired density of approximately 90% of TMD.

A new process has become available that might be useful for compacting PEX materials. The process is triaxial: it utilizes the familiar isostatic compression vectors to form a billet and for lateral reinforcement while a shear action of higher pressure is included over the billet ends with a mechanical punch. The 20-inch press has been inspected at the site of manufacture and is in transit to Pantex Plant.

Existing supplies of bis-trinitroanisole and picryl hydrazine were used to make 2 kg of bis-hexanitrohydrazobenzene. Development of the HNAB recrystallization process was temporarily stopped due to the need to produce a supply of the intermediate products (picryl chloride and HNHB). Purchase orders for DINOL and DNPIA required for synthesis of AFNOL were awarded.

In this laboratory we have studied the macromolecular changes accompanying release of contact inhibition by using a method by means of which a large fraction of cells in a confluent monolayer are released from contact inhibition of growth and division. This is accomplished without chemical treatment of the cells, without change of medium and in such a way that most cells are provided with free growth area. The procedure involves growing the cells to confluence on surfaces uniformly covered with glass beads 200 {microns} in diameter. When confluence has been attained, contact inhibition ma be released by discarding the beads leaving behind numerous spaces, throughout the culture. Removal of the beads dislodges few if any of the cells. After release of contact inhibition by removing the beads, the cultures double in cell number following the first round of DNA replications, and continue to grow until they are again contact inhibited. Cell types used have included several cell lines and strains including both primary cell cultures of neonatal rat heart cells and established 3T3 and 3T6 mouse fibroblast cell lines.

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Plutonium is a man-made element whose behavior in the marine environment is inadequately known at present. It has been studied intensively in connection with production of weapons and power sources and has been characterized as an extremely toxic substance. Nevertheless, only a few dozen measurements have been made of concentrations in seawater and in the associated organisms and sediments. The first of these were as recent as 1964. There are reasons to believe its chemical behavior in the ocean is different from what has been observed on land, and that it will be difficult to predict how plutonium will distribute itself in the ocean. The consequences of increased environmental concentrations of Pu are discussed. (auth)

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A prototype liquid xenon {gamma}-camera has been constructed and preliminary results obtained. The sensitive volume is 7 c x 7 cm in area and 1.5 cm thick. Orthogonal coordinates for each interacting {gamma}-ray are provided by 24 anode wires 5 {micro} in diameter spaced 2.8 mm apart and 24 cathode strips.

An apparatus and procedure were developed for studying the containment of tritium using catalytic conversion to the oxide followed by oxide adsorption. Data were obtained on the catalytic oxidation of elemental tritium and tritiated volatile hydrocarbons from pump oils between 23 and 538 degrees C. Oxidation efficiencies as high as 99.99997% (decontamination factor = 3.3 million) were obtained for total tritium levels of 1 ppm and a tritiated hydrocarbon level of approximately 0.2 ppb. In addition, a mathematical study was made to derive equations for the conceptual design of an "Emergency Containment System" for containment of tritium following an accidental release to room air.

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From joint power generation conference; New Orleans, Louasiana, USA (16 Sep 1973). The High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor (HTGR) fuel recycle operation is described. The description includes the HTGR spent fuel shipping system and the proposed method of reprocessing the spent fuel to recover the bred /sup 233/U and /sup 235/U. The process for refabricating the recovered fuel into recycle fuel is also discussed. (auth)

From nuclear science symposium; Miami Beach, Florida, USA (6 Dec 1972). A computer-controlled fuel handling machine used to refuel a nuclear power generating station is described. The refueling process and the basic concepts of the electronic system controlling the process are explained. A comparison is made between manual control and automatic control, using data from actual operation. (auth)

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