From introduction: This work is a survey of possible uses of ceramic materials in Hanford-type fuel elements.

Abstract: "Aluminum-clad nickel-plated uranium is corrosion resistant in boiling water. Samples with intentional defects in the aluminum-nickel clodding layers, after testing for more than 300 hr. showed no sign of rapid failure. The study of electroplated metals on uranium for aluminum cladding has defined the effects of several processing variables on the corrosion resistance. The quality of the uranium and the quality of the aluminum-nickel bond were important. Heat treatment and vacuum outgassing of the nickel-plated uranium prior to aluminum cladding were beneficial, and minimizing the amount of air present in the hot-press assembly was desirable. Variation in the steps for electroplating on uranium did not affect the corrosion resistance of aluminum-clad uranium."

This report follows a preliminary study on uranium migration in pressed and sintered UO2-bearing bodies based on MoSi2 or Al2O3.

Abstract: "Differential thermal-expansion effects in brazed joints involving Type 310 stainless steel and GE-62 brazing alloy were investigated. The work included dilation and modulus-of-elasticity measurements using homogenous cast specimens and observations on bimetallic cantilevers made of the two constituents. No anomalies were found, although there were irregularities in the expansion of the brazing alloy which were ascribed to a solubility phenomenon. The elastic modulus of the brazing alloy was determined. Cantilever deflections with temperature and with load were measured, and the results were interpreted using equations which treat the specimens as true bimetals consisting of two homogeneous components. The difference in thermal-expansion coefficients obtained in this way from the temperature-deflection data was consistent with the dilation measurements. The load measurements yielded an average elastic modulus for the bimetal which was about two-thirds of what would have been expected from knowledge of the components. This discrepancy probably arose from porosity which was observed in the braze components."

From summary: "This report was prepared for the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards for their review and consideration of the potential hazards concerning the Battelle Memorial Institute Research Reactor."