METALLURGY DIVISION ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT FOR PERIOD ENDING OCTOBER 10, 1957

High-Temperatare Metallurgy. A series of Inconel loops were operated to study the variation with time of depth of corrosion, effect of flow rate on corrosion, and effect of temperature drop on corrosion using fused salts. The corrosive effects of fused salts on Hastelloy B and Ni--Mo alloys are discussed. A series of Inconel--Na and Inconel-NaK forced circulation loops was operated to study the mass transfer in the systems. The mass transfer between Na and forced circulation loop of stainless steel, Incoloy, and Hastelloys B and W is discussed. Thermal convection loop corrosion resistance studies of Ni--Mo alloy, Inconel castings, and Nb in various systems are presented. Nondestructive testing methods and equipment are discussed. Methods and equipmeat used in the inspection of materials for reactor service are presented. A distillation apparatus is described for the purification of Na. To determine the effect of concentration on the diffusion coefficients, study on the rate of diffusion of NI in liquid Pb was initiated. A study is reported to determine why the protective oxide layer of Nl, Ta, and Zr becomes disrupted. A brief survey was made of the microtopography of sulfide films formed on Nb, Ta, and Zr. A research program was undertaken to determine the effect of reactor radiation on the gaseous oxidation of metals. Measurements of the density and absorption spectra of fused salts are presented. HRP Metallurgy. Microstructures of aged quench-and-reheat specimens of Zr--Nb alloys are presented. The effect of H/sub 2/ on the embrittlement of Ti is given. Tensile and impact specimens ot Zircaloy-2 were irradiated in corrosion loops to determine if any harmful mechanical property changes occurred through neutron irradiation or as a result of environment. Applied Metallurgy. Substitution of type 347 stainless steel for type 304 in APPR fuel elements because of heat-treatmeat specifications is discussed. An investigation was initiated to develop a dispersion of Eu/sub 2/O/sub 3/ in an iron-bass material, clad with stainless steel as a replacement for boron-bearing absorber sections. The fabrication and composition of various reactor fuel materials are described. Treatment of various fuel materials by carburization is presented. Results of experimente on the intergranular diffusion of Zr by Mg are presented. Metallographic examinations of HRP reactor components are presented. Progress and statas of development of pollshing techniques for metallographic specimans employing vibratory polishing machines are presented. The microstructures of Inconel was investigated. Preparation and identification of some rare earth silicides are discussed. The diffusion of Ca in TiO/sub 2/ was stadisd. A preliminary investigation was made of ths ThO/sub 2/--SiO/sub 2/ system. The electric are calcination of ThO/sub 2/ is desrribed. Fundumental Metallurgy. The allotropic modifications in metallic Cs ars described. Preferred orientation in extruded Al rod is described. Low-temperature measurements of the specific heats of Zr and Zr--In alloys are presented. Phase studies of the Cd--Zr alloys ars presented. Structures and phase transformations in Perovskits-type compounds are presented. (See also ORNL-2217.) (W.L.H.