Preliminary investigation indicated that it was possible to prepare thoria-urania solid solutions by sintering in air a mixture of Th02 and UsOg-The U3O8 on heating in air was found to disassociate, and when heated with Th02, the resultant body was essentiallya Th02-U02 solid solution. The methods used in preparing and granulating the ThO^ and U3O8 for the BORAX-IV loading are discussed in detail. This material was dry pressed using pressures from 13,000 to 15,000 psi. The pressed pellets were loaded into alumina crucibles andfired to a peak temperature of 1700°C to 1750°C. The fired ware was foimd to have an average apparent density of 9.8 g/cc. The pellets were loaded into aluminiim-1 w/o Ni tube plates and the annulus between the pellet and the tube was filled with lead. After closing the open end of the tube plates, the plates were spot welded into a subassembly.
Plutonium monocarbide, uranium monocarbide, and 20 wt% plutonium-80 wt% uranium monocarbide solid solution were prepared by reacting the respective oxides with carbon. Data are given on the densification, vaporization, chemical analyses, and X-ray diffraction of the materials. Photomicrographs of microstructures are also presented.
Magnesium oxide was fabricated by hand tamping, mechanical vibration, dry pressing, extrusion, hot pressing and slip casting. The dry forming was done with and without a binder. Slip casting was accomplished from both alcohol and water slurries. Magnesia ware was fired under a reducing atmosphere in an induction furnace and under an oxidizing atmosphere in an electric furnace and a gas-fired kiln. Pieces fired in the induction furnace in contact with the graphite susceptor showed deep surface pitting. The melting point of magnesium oxide was determined. Phase studies were performed on the MgO-UOj system and on the MgO-UsOg system.
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