Abstract: A method of extending the life of components of newly constructed nuclear reactors or newly replaced components of existing reactors is taught. The method involves forming a deposit on the surfaces of metallic elements of the nuclear containment, as well as on the surfaces of internal components which are exposed to high-temperature, high-pressure water and steam. The deposit formed is a deposit of at least one member of the platinum group of metals. The deposit is formed by any of a number of conventional methods such as electroless deposition, electrochemical deposition, chemical vapor deposition, sputtering or other conventional method. In operation, this deposit facilitates the combination of hydrogen and oxygen to form water and thereby aids in reducing the electrochemical corrosion potential of the system to values below a critical potential range that prevents stress corrosion cracking.

Abstract: The present invention provides an alloy having improved crack growth inhibition and having high strength at high temperatures. The composition of the alloy is essentially as follows:______________________________________ Ingredient Concentration in weight 5 ______________________________________ Ni balance Co 15 Cr 10 Mo 3 Al 5.5 Ti 2.25 Ta 2.70 Nb 1.35 Zr 0.06 V 1 C 0.05 B 0.03.

Abstract: The present invention provides an alloy having improved crack growth inhibition and having high strength at high temperatures. The composition of the alloy is essentially as follows:______________________________________ Ingredient Concentration in weight % ______________________________________ Ni balance Co 15 Cr 10 Mo 3 Al 4.5 Ti 4.0 Ta 2.70 Nb 1.35 Zr 0.06 V 1 C 0.05 B 0.03.

Abstract: The present invention provides an alloy having improved crack growth inhibition and having high strength at high temperatures. The composition of the alloy is essentially as follows:______________________________________ Ingredient Concentration in Weight % ______________________________________ Ni balance Co 15 Cr 10 Mo 3 Al 3.35 Ti 5.90 Ta 2.70 Nb 1.35 Zr 0.06 V 1 C 0.05 B 0.03.

Abstract: A method of extending the life of components of in service nuclear reactors or components of existing reactors is taught. The method involves forming a deposit on the surface coatings of metallic elements of the nuclear containment, as well as on the surfaces of encrusted internal components which are exposed to high-temperature, high-pressure water and steam. The deposit formed is a deposit of at least one member of the platinum group of metals. The deposit is formed by electroless deposition. In operation, this deposit facilitates the combination of hydrogen and oxygen to form water and thereby aids in reducing the electrochemical corrosion potential of the system to values below a critical potential that prevents stress corrosion cracking.

Abstract: The present invention provides an alloy having improved crack growth inhibition and having high strength at high temperatures. The composition of the alloy is essentially as follows:______________________________________ Ingredient Concentration in Weight % ______________________________________ Ni balance Co 15 Cr 10 Mo 3 Al 4.9 Ti 2.0 Ta 4.7 Nb 2.3 Zr 0.06 V 1 C 0.05 B 0.

Abstract: The present invention provides an alloy having improved crack growth inhibition and having high strength at high temperatures. The composition of the alloy is essentially as follows:______________________________________ Ingredient Concentration in Weight % ______________________________________ Ni balance Co 13 Cr 16 Mo 4 Al 2.55 Ti 4.5 Ta 3.0 Nb 1.5 Zr 0.03 C 0.03 B 0.

Abstract: The present invention provides an alloy having improved crack growth inhibition and having high strength at high temperatures. The composition of the alloy is essentially as follows:______________________________________ Concentration in Weight % Claimed Composition Ingredient From To ______________________________________ Ni balance Co 4 12 Cr 7 13 Mo 2 6 Al 3.0 6.0 Ti 3.5 5.0 Ta 2.0 4.0 Nb 1.0 3.0 Re 0.0 3.0 Hf 0.0 0.75 Zr 0.0 0.10 V 0.0 3.0 C 0.0 0.20 B 0.0 0.10 W 0.0 1.0 Y 0.0 0.10.

Abstract: The present invention provides an alloy having improved crack growth inhibition and having high strength at high temperatures. The composition of the alloy is essentially as follows:______________________________________ Ingredient Concentration in Weight % ______________________________________ Ni balance Co 10 Cr 15 Mo 4 Al 4 Ti 3.5 Ta 2.5 Nb 1.25 Zr 0.06 C 0.05 B 0.

Abstract: A phosphor comprising an effective amount of cerium to provide luminescence, and the balance substantially an oxide compound of hafnium and an alkaline earth from the group consisting of barium, strontium, calcium, and mixtures thereof, having substantially a perovskite crystal form.

Abstract: An apparatus for solder joining metal tapes to form laminated metal tapes comprises an alignment box having a base and a sidewall means extending therefrom to define a tapered inner channel extending through the box. The tapered channel having an entrance end and narrowing to an exit end. At least one tapered wall extending from the base and within the inner channel to define subchannels that are spaced at the entrance end and converge into the inner channel before the exit end. The sidewall means and tapered wall extending from the base to respective wall tops, and a cover extending over the channel and subchannels is mounted on the wall tops. The base, sidewalls, inner wall, and cover being configured to form the channel and subchannels to have a first preselected distance between the base and cover that is greater than the width of the tapes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring corrosion to members within the core of a nuclear reactor, particularly fuel rod cladding. A sensor means is submerged inside the core of a nuclear reactor near the member of fuel rods. The sensor means is comprised of a generally cylindrical section having an outer surface that is subject to corrosion and radiation, and has a cross-sectional area A.sub.1. The sensor means additionally has a reference section subjected to radiation but not to corrosion, and having a cross-sectional area A.sub.2. At least one pair of first probes, separated by a length L.sub.1, is placed in electrical contact with the cylindrical section. At least one pair of second probes separated by a length L.sub.2, is placed in electrical contact with the reference section. A current is passed throughout the sensor means to produce a potential gradient in the cylindrical section and reference section.

Abstract: A low frequency RF plasma spray deposition method is provided, which is especially effective in reducing losses and improving particle heating. In one aspect of the invention, an RF plasma gun is operated in the frequency range below 1 MHz and an argon-helium mixture to which a third component, such as hydrogen, can also be admixed, is substituted for the standard argon-hydrogen mixture used at frequencies above 2 MHz. In another aspect of the invention, a RF plasma gun is operated in the frequency range of 400-500 kHz and specific start up and operating procedures and conditions are set forth for successful deposition of titanium and refractory metal alloys.

Abstract: A container for electrochemical reactants for an electrode is provided, as well as electrodes employing the same. The electrodes can withstand the rigorous environment of a nuclear reactor core. The design of the container reduces stresses in the electrode and significantly improves its reliability. The container has a generally cylindrical member of an insulator. The member has a base region whose outer surface is a surface attachment region. The base region has an annular channel for a lead. The base region also has a generally conical cut-out. Sidewall means extend from said base to define a cavity for containing electrochemical reactants, e.g., silver chloride. A generally conical insert of an insulator mates with the cut-out. The outer surface of the insert, cut-out, and surface attachment region is metallized, and the insert is set in place by brazing. In the electrode the lead is in electrical contact with the apex of the insert.

Abstract: A method of forming polycrystalline rare earth oxide ceramic scintillators formed by dissolving a mixture of oxides of the scintillator in an aqueous hydrochloric or nitric acid solution to form a rare earth solution, precipitating oxalates from the rare earth solution, calcining the oxalates to form the respective oxides, cold pressing the oxides to form a compact, and sintering the compact in a reducing atmosphere or vacuum to form the scintillator, the method being improved by precipitating the oxalates by admixing the rare earth solution with an oxalic solution comprised of, oxalic acid and ammonium ions in an amount that disperses the oxalate precipitates.

Abstract: A simplified method of forming polycrystalline translucent-to-transparent yttria-gadolinia composition scintillators comprises forming an aqueous suspension of hydroxide coprecipitates of the yttria-gadolinia composition, and converting the hydroxides to oxalates. The oxalates are neutralized by washing, dried, and granulated to form a finely dispersed oxalate powder. The oxalate powder is calcined, cold pressed to form a compact, and sintered in a reducing atmosphere or vacuum to form the polycrystalline translucent-to-transparent yttria-gadolinia composition scintillator.

Abstract: Superconducting tapes having an inner laminate comprised of a parent-metal layer, a superconductive alloy layer on the parent-metal, a reactive-metal layer, and an outer laminate soldered thereon are joined in a superconducting joint by the method of this invention. The outer laminate is removed to form exposed sections, and the tapes are positioned so that the exposed sections are in contact. A melt zone within the exposed sections where the exposed sections are in contact is melted. The melt zone is at least large enough to provide sufficient parent-metal, superconductive alloy, and reactive-metal to form a melt that resolidifies as a continuous precipitate of the superconductive alloy. The melt resolidifies as a continuous precipitate of the superconductive alloy that is continuous with the superconductive alloy on the superconducting tape.

Abstract: A method for contraction annealing niobium-tin wire is disclosed. An improved niobium-tin wire is provided by loosely winding the wire on a mandrel, or by coiling the wire on a circumferentially retractile mandrel, and contraction annealing the wire without reaction-forming substantial amounts of Nb.sub.3 Sn. Such contraction annealing allows the wire to contract in length unconstrained thereby preventing the formation of internal tensile stresses in the wire and its surrounding insulation. Prevention of internal stresses in the wire greatly reduces the susceptibility of the wire to breakage, cracking, sintering, shorting, tin leakage, or substantial shifting of the wire from desired wrap positions when it is reaction annealed to form the brittle super-conducting intermetallic compound Nb.sub.3 Sn.

Abstract: Gamma titanium aluminide alloys can be melted by a method comprising, melting a charge comprised of the titanium aluminide alloy and an effective amount of a metal from the group consisting of niobium, tantalum, tungsten, and molybdenum to reduce oxygen pickup in the melt, the melting being performed in a calcia crucible.

Abstract: A simplified method of forming polycrystalline translucent-to-transparent yttria-gadolinia scintillators comprises coprecipitating oxalates of the yttria-gadolinia composition, drying the oxalates at about 75.degree. C. to 125.degree. C., forming an aqueous suspension of the dried oxalates, and agitating the suspension while admixing an effective amount of an ammonium hydroxide solution to disperse agglomerations of the oxalate coprecipitates. The dispersed oxalates are calcined to substantially fully oxidize the oxalates and form an oxide powder of the yttria-gadolinia composition. The oxide powder is cold pressed to form a compact, and the compact is sintered in a reducing atmosphere or vacuum to form the polycrystalline translucent-to-transparent yttria-gadolinia scintillator.