Abstract: Information on five uranium binary alloy systems has been surveyed. These systems are the alloys of uranium with zirconium, chromium, columbium, vanadium, and molybdenum. The equilibrium diagrams are discussed, and where available, data have been included on diffusion studies, cladding experiments, and mechanical properties.

From introduction: This report covers an investigation of solid-state bonding as a technique for aluminum cladding uranium plates of 3 by 0.180-in. cross section in lengths up to 14 ft.

From introduction: This is Progress report BMI-282, the first of a series covering the operation of the pressure-leaching towers for the extraction of uranium by an ammonium carbonate leach...This report discusses the data obtained from tests run to show the effects of such variables as the amount of air and carbon dioxide passed through the pulp, temperature, pressure, and concentration of ammonium carbonate and ammonium bicarbonate in the leach solution on the extraction of uranium.

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

From introduction: Silicon carbide is being considered as a basis material for nonmetallic fuel elements because of its high thermal conductivity, low nuclear cross section, high resistance to thermal rupture, and high degree of stability at high temperature in air. A requirement of the fuel elements is that they be thin and have as low porosity as possible. One shape of element under consideration is 0.050 to 0.070 inch thick by a few inches in width and breadth.

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.

From introduction: This report presents the results of the two phases of the work: study of the compatibility of beryllia bodies with a coating material, molybdenum; and studies of beryllia-beryllium body fabrication.

The following report covers investigations on the application of the beta counter as an analytical tool for use in experiments on the extraction and concentration of uranium from low-grade (.005-.02 % uranium) shale and phosphate rock ores.

"Centrifugal-casting techniques were investigated as a method of producing hollow cylindrical extrusion billets of aluminum-35 w/o uranium. Among the variables evaluated were melt temperature, mold and pouring-spout configurations, mold speed, and method of pouring. With the equipment employed it was found that the best castings were produced stilizing a pouring temperature of 2400 F, a heavy-walled steel cylinder rotating between 700 to 900 rpm for the mold and bottom-pouring technique employing a retractable pouring spout. Sound, nonporous billets 26 in. long and 5 in. in diameter were produced with a yield after machining of over 75 per cent of the original charge. The major losses occurred in the pouring spout-and-cup assembly. This loss is relatively unaffected by the casting length; and, therefore, coatings of greater length than 26 in. should results in even greater recoveries.

This report covers the progress made on an intensive program to develop and evaluate UO2 as a possible fuel element for the PWR.

The following report analyzes the results taken from studies on the characteristics of the bond interface formed between zircaloy 2 and uranium-12 w/o molybdenum alloys.

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 study has been made of the cladding of solid and powdered delta-phase zirconium hydride is both red and flat shapes with stainless steel. The program included investigations of metallurgical bonding, both with and without the sore of metallic barrier materials. Types 304 and 347 stainless steel were used for cladding material. The intermediate barrier-layer materials used were niobium, molybdenum, a combination of copper and molybdenum, and a combination of copper and niobium. The pressure-bonding techniques, involving the use of gas pressure at elevated temperatures, was employed in this study. Variable times and temperatures with a constant pressure of 10,000 poi were utilized by produce bonding. In this study, the best results were archived is cladding delta-phase zirconium hydride directly with Types 304 or 347 stainless steel. Good bonds were obtained by pressure bonding at 1600 F for 3 or 4 hr subsequent to pressure bonding at 1900 F for 1 to 2 hr at a pressure of 10,000 poi. Partial bonding was achieved between niobium and zirconium hydride and molybdeum and girconium hydride.

From introduction: "At the request of WAPD, a study has been made of the effect of minor compositional variables on the corrosion behavior of uranium-molybdenum alloys in 650 F degassed water."

Abstract: In one of the final stages of the process at the Mallinckrodt Uranium Refining Center, a 45 per cent nitric acid solution at about 170 F is used to pickle the calcined magnesium fluoride scale off the uranium derbies. The increase in the fluoride-ion content of the bath tends to promote corrosion of the Type 347 stainless tanks. This attack becomes excessive if 0.3 g/liter of fluoride ion or more is present. It was found that if aluminum ion is added to the solution the corrosiveness of the bath can be controlled. Two or three times as much aluminum ion as fluoride ion present is found satisfactory at 170 F. Indications are that the tying up of the fluoride-ion by the complexion [AlF6]8 is responsible for the corrosion control.

This report is one of a series of five, dealing with alloys of the uranium-zirconium series. Particularly, this report focuses on the corrosion properties of uranium alloys, with zirconium as the major alloying agent, in high-temperature water.

Introduction: Among the many corrosion problems encountered in the production of uranium tetrafluoride and uranium metal from ores and concentrates, some of the most serious occur where hydrofluoric acid must be handled.

Abstract: "Creep and creep-rupture tests were made on 25-O aluminum sheet at temperatures of 500 and 550 C. The estimated stresses that will produce 0.5 per cent deformation and rupture in 10,000 hours at 400, 450, 500, and 550 C (data at 400 and 450 C are from BMI-T-29, dated June 9, 1950) are presented."

Abstract:"The creep resistance of various uranium binary alloys was investigated at 1500 and 1800 F in vacuum. Tests were made on alloys of uranium with beryllium, columbium, molybdenum, tantalum, titanium, and zirconium and on molybdenum-UO2 composites. Of the alloys examined, those of the uranium-molybdenum system exhibited the best creep resistance. At 1500 F, creep rates of about 0.005%/hr were produced in uranium-molybdenum alloys by a stress of 2500 psi and, at 1800 F, similar creep rates were obtained in composites of 90 wt % molybdenum-10 wt % UO2 by a stress of 12,000 psi."

The following report studies an intermediate solid-fuel reactor system for aircraft propulsion.

Abstract: "A method for determination of dibutyl phosphate in solvent streams containing tributyl phosphate is outlined. The method is based on analysis for total uranium of total phosphate after removal of uranium and phosphate in excess of that present as uranyl dibutyl phosphate. Results on plant solvent samples are presented. Difficulties with precipitation of [...] dibutyl phosphate, when fresh solvents were employed, are discussed. Small amounts of nonphosphate uranium-complexing agents were found in plant solvents. Diluent degradation is postulated as the source of these components. Emulsion-formation tendencies appeared to correlate better with concentrations of these contaminants than with dibutyl phosphate content."

Abstract: "In a study of the preparation and properties of delta-phase zirconium hydride it was found that large, sound bodies of the hydride can be prepared by direct combination of the elements if the rate of the reaction is retarded by limiting the supply of available hydrogen. Specimens up to 1-in. diameter were prepared using this technique. Because delta phase zirconium hydride does not readily form eutectics with iron-and nickel-base alloys below 1800 F these materials may be utilized for clodding the hydride. Delta-phase zirconium hydride is unaffected by exposure to liquid NaK or to nitrogen gas at temperatures below 1000 F. The hot hardness of delta-phase zirconium hydrid is about 130 kg per mm-2 at room temperature and 40 kg per mm-2 at 1500 F. The mean coefficient of thermal expansion (68 to 1337 F) is 6.5 x 10^-6 per deg F. The thermal conductivity varies from 5.7 Btu/(ft)(hr)(F) at 300 F to 5.1 Btu/(ft)(hr)(F) at 1300 F."

Abstract: "Rare-earth analyses were performed on several samples of refined uranium oxide and nitrate, using a modified cellulose column procedure. Rare earths were not detectable in samples of 0.03 shotgun of less. Detection limits were from 0.0005 to 0.015 ppm. Negligible quantities of low-cross-section rare earths were found in less pure uranium samples, obtained during start-up operations of the pilot plant at the Feed Materials Production Center, primarily those rare earths of greater than average abundance in nature. No correlation was found between rare-earth content and shotgun values. Rare earths do not appear to be contributing significantly to the neutron absorption of refined uranium. A modified cellulose column procedure, which includes a preconcentration solvent-extraction step, is described. Radioactive tracer tests indicating rare-earth recoveries by the method of >98 per cent are reported."

Abstract: "A quantitative method for the determination of individual rare earths in thorium down to a level of 0.05 ppm, is described. The procedure consists of a chromatographic cellulose-columns separation followed by a solution-type spectrographic determination. Values are given for the recovery of a number of rare earths using this combined procedure."