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From abstract: "Various physical and mechanical properties have been determined for high- and low-carbon base uranium, uranium-chromium, and uranium-zirconium alloys. These data complement those obtained at ANL on the same materials."

This document presents a summary of work and progress at the Hanford Engineer Works for January 1955. The report is divided into sections by department. A plant wide general summary is included at the beginning of the report, after which the departmental summaries begin. The Manufacturing Department reports plant statistics, and summaries for the Metal Preparation, Reactor and Separation sections. The Engineering Department`s section summarizes work for the Technical Design, and Project Sections. Costs for the various departments are presented in the Financial department`s summary. The Medical, Radiological Sciences, Utilities and General Services, Employee and Public Relations, and Community Real Estate and Services departments have sections presenting their monthly statistics, work, progress, and summaries.

The four types of respirator cartridges used at the 202 S Building were tested against aerosols found at that location, and in the laboratory against non-radioactive gaseous ruthenium tetroxide. Positive penetration of two types of cartridges was shown with one process aerosol. Gaseous ruthenium tetroxide penetrated all types of cartridges tested. Leaks were found in some of the cartridges. Particle size of aerosol particles was measured by means of cascade impactor samples and electron photomicrographs. A high percentage of the aerosol particles was found to be less than 0.2 microns in diameter. Ru¹⁰³ + Ru¹⁰⁶ and Zr⁹⁵ + Nb⁹⁵ were shown to be present in the process aerosol by gamma ray spectrometer analysis. Possible causes of penetration of respiratory equipment by ruthenium are discussed and suggestions made for alleviating the problem.