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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

MONTHLY LETTER REPORT NO. 16 COVERING THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 15 TO MARCH 15, 1960

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4193362
Testing of irradiated silica bars was continued. Results of statistical analyses showed that the transverse strength of the irradiated silica samples was lower by about 10% than for nonirradiated specimens. Samples of silica were : cast in the configuration for the Armour ring test (see monthly report No. 13), Six such samples fired at 2100 deg F for 4 hours had an average tensile strength of 3260 psi, while similar samples cast in the configuration of a D had an average tensile strengt of 3250 psi, Other investigations are reported on continued efforts to determine the optimum plaster and plaster conditions for silica casting and on determination of the firing temperature for Be-UO/sub 2/ Experiments on preparation of uranium mononitride by nitridias uranium metal were conducted which yielded a high-quality product, The nitride powder reduced to particle size of about 1 micron and was cold pressed and sintered to a density of 91 to 93% of theoretical. Uranium monocarbide prepared for alternate use in preparing the mononitride by nitriding a mixture of UO/sub 2/ and carbon was ball milled to about 1 micron and was cold pressed and sintered to a density of 93 to 95% of theoretical, Preparation of U/sub 3/S/sub 12/ by a non-quench method is reported. Magnesia was found to be the best crucible material/or use in this method. Pellets of U/sub 3/S/sub 12/ prepared by cold pressing and sintering were 93% of theoretical density. This material is pyrophoric. (For preceding period see ORO-248.) (J.R.D.)
Research Organization:
Georgia Inst. of Tech., Atlanta. Engineering Experiment Station
NSA Number:
NSA-14-012841
OSTI ID:
4193362
Report Number(s):
ORO-263; Project No. B-153
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English