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 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.

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

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: "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: "Approximate melting points have been determined for five samples of uranium tetrafluoride representing incompletely converted uranium dioxide and covering the range from about 2 to 20 w/o UO2, using the method of differential thermal analysis. The results indicate the melting temperatures are in the range of 920 to 980 C. No significant correlation between melting point and UO2 content was observed, possibly because of calcite formation. Similar results were obtained on synthetic mistakes of UF4 containing from 10 to 40 w/o UO2."

Abstract: "Sound, fabricable ingots of thorium were produced by triple are melting of electrolytic thorium. Consumable electrodes were fabricated by tack welding of cold-pressed and vacuum-sintered bars of the granular thorium electrodeposited from a molten-salt bath. The hydrogen content of the electrodeposited material was reduced from 80 to 4 ppm by vacuum sintering at 1250 C at pressures below 1 x 10-(-3) mm of mercury. Both sodium and chlorine content were reduced during melting; sodium from 250 to 25 ppm and chlorine from 1000 to 30 ppm. Oxygen and HCl acid-insoluble contents increased during sintering and melting. Oxygen content increased from 0.35 to 0.50 w/o and HCl acid-insoluble content from 0.8 to 4.0 w/o. A starlike includion revealed by metallographic examination of the as-cast thorium was identified as ThO2."

Abstract: "The heat-treatment behavior of zirconium alloys containing 7 to 70 w/o uranium is described. The effect of oxygen contamination on the structure and hardness of these alloys is outlined. It is shown that in the initial stages pf transformation of beta zirconium-uranium solid solution into the low-temperature phases a potent hardening reaction occurs in alloys containing 20 to 70 w/o uranium. In this reaction the hardness may rise from 200 DPH characteristic of retained beta to values in excess of 400 DPH. Practical heat treatments have been developed which produce relatively soft alloys. The microstructures and hardnesses produces by these treatments are shown."

Binary alloys of uranium with 38 elements in the range 0.01 to 1.0 at.% were made. Three alloys having nominal compositions of 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 at.% were made with most of the elements, and in addition, 12 ternary and quaternary alloys were made. The alloys were cast, rolled to 7/8-inch-diameter bars, heat treated, and examined for grain size.

The following report follows the procedures to compact blends of uranium tetrafluoride and magnesium, describing how lubrication of the compact effects the outcome of the blends.

From introduction: "The work covered in this report is a portion of the experimental research undertaken for the design of a uranium-containing metallic fuel rod for operation in air at 1090 C...This report deals with that phase which involved the testing and evaluation of various metals as barrier costs between uranium alloys, and low-carbon steel. The work is of a preliminary nature and is concerned more with a comparison of the various barrier metals than with the acquisition of numerical data, e.g., diffusion coefficients."

The following report summarizes the results of the laboratory-scale work and pilot-plant scale work of a salt-batch composition that reduces the hydrogen pickup by uranium rods during the beta heat treatment, and the study of the influence of humidity over the salt bath on hydrogen pickup.

From introduction: "This report covers the development of nondestructive techniques for measuring quantitatively: (1) thickness of electrodeposited-nickel diffusion barriers, and (2) thickness of aluminum cladding on flat-plate fuel elements."

This report discusses tests on the preparation and cladding of hot-pressed and pressure-bonded titanium-boron. It explores the properties of titanium-boron as a control material in reactors.

Abstract: "Additional work on the flotation of sulphides from high-sulphur pitchblende is described. Data needed for the selection of flotation equipment are presented."

From abstract: "Results are presented of Scheibel column extraction tests with neutral ether on a variety of combinations of feed solutions...The effect of added iron was evaluated for a considerable number of process solutions and slurries. Arsenic was traced through both primary and secondary extraction stages in one test."

Abstract: "The solubility of oxygen in uranyl sulphate solutions and in water at 212, 275, and 325 F, and at oxygen partial pressures up to 1500 psia was investigated. The results are presented in tabular and graphic form. The solubility is proportional to the partial pressure of oxygen. The ratio of solubility in the uranyl sulphate solution to solubility in water at the same temperature and pressure is a function of the concentration of the salt in solution."

The following report follows an experimental study that was made on the mass transport of chromium in polythermal inconel-fluoride fuel systems, followed by the technique of adding radioactive chromium-51 to the system as either CrF3 in the salt or as elemental chromium in the solid phase.