MATERIALS FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE NUCLEAR ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS. Summary Report No. 1, June 1, 1961 to June 1, 1962

Technical Report · Thu Oct 31 04:00:00 EST 1963

OSTI ID:4764320

Fleming, J D; Johnson, J W; Boland, P; Bomar, S H; Colcord, A R

Devitrification rates were determined in a high temperature x-ray diffraction unit using samples of fused silica slip cast in three types of plaster with two types of mold release. A system was designed to measure the porosity, bulk density, and theoretical density of porous fused silica specimens by air displacement. Estimation of a firing correction time for the silica proved possible using the porosity data. The use of this correction time permitted the properties of the dried cast silica to be correlated with the fired properties. The porosity and the modulus of rupture of slip cast fused silica were measured as a function of firing conditions. A study was made of the compressive strength of siip cast fused silica. Further statistical analyses of the firing procedure for silica tensile test rings showed that the data scatter was principally due to vertical temperature gradients in the furnace. Investigations were made of the influerice of firing atmosphere on the properties of slip cast fused silica. The initial studies showed that steam had a striking effect on the fired strength and porosity as well as the expected effect on devitrification rate. The Kr-85 permeation system was completed and check runs were begun. Three replicate runs on a single sample indicated effective diffusivities with a maximum deviation of 3.5% from the average. Alumina casting slips were developed by wet and dry milling of Norton Type 38 Alundum. Studies were made of the influence of mold vibration and pressure application on the casting rate of the alumina slips. The apparent theoretical density of the U/sub 3/O/sub 8/ used in the studies of Al-U/sub 3/O/su b 8/ interactions was measured by air displacement and in a Beckman air pycnometer. The particle size of the U/ sub 3/O/sub 8/ used in the pellets markedly influenced the thermet ignition characteristics. Studies were begun to elucidate the influence of aluminum content on the Al-U/sub 3/O/sub 8/ interactions. Electron beam microprobe analyses were made of fired composites containing 14.6 wt % aluminum. Several thermochemical calculations were made to indicate the maximum energy release to be expected from reacting Al-U/sub 3/O/sub 8/ composites. Several motion pictures and still photographs were made of igniting 14.6 wt % aluminum composites. BeU/sub 3/O/sub 8/ compacts containing 7.9 wt % of -325 mesh beryllium were subjected to differential thermal analysis. (R.J.S.)

• Research Organization: Georgia Inst. of Tech., Atlanta. Engineering Experiment Station
• NSA Number: NSA-17-003387
• OSTI ID: 4764320
• Report Number(s): TID-17322
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AIR
ALUMINUM
ALUMINUM OXIDES
ALUNDUM
BERYLLIUM
CALCIUM SULFATES
CAMERAS
CASTING
CERMETS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
COMPACTING
DEFORMATION
DENSITY
DIFFRACTION
DIFFUSION
ELECTRON BEAMS
ENERGY
ERRORS
EXPANSION
FAILURES
FURNACES
FUSED SALTS
GAS FLOW
GRAIN SIZE
GYPSUM
HIGH TEMPERATURE
HUMIDITY
INTERACTIONS
KRYPTON 85
MATERIALS TESTING
MEASURED VALUES
METALS, CERAMICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS
NUMERICALS
ORE PROCESSING
PELLETS
PHASE DIAGRAMS
PHOTOGRAPHY
PLANNING
PLASTER OF PARIS
POROSITY
PRESSURE
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
REPLICA TECHNIQUES
SAMPLING
SILICON OXIDES
SLIP
STATISTICS
STEAM
TEMPERATURE
TENSILE PROPERTIES
THERMAL ANALYSIS
THERMODY