Abstract: A solid tag material which generates stable detectable, identifiable, and measurable isotopic gases on exposure to a neutron flux to be placed in a nuclear reactor component, particularly a fuel element, in order to identify the reactor component in event of its failure. Several tag materials consisting of salts which generate a multiplicity of gaseous isotopes in predetermined ratios are used to identify different reactor components.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of decontaminating the metal surfaces in the cooling system of a nuclear reactor by contacting the metal surfaces with an aqueous solution containing about 0.5 to about 3% of a ceric acid which can be tetrasulfato ceric acid, hexasulfamato ceric acid, hexaperchlorato ceric acid, or mixtures thereof, and about 1 to about 5% of an inorganic acid that forms a complex with the ceric acid.The cerium III in the aqueous solution can be oxidized to cerium IV to increase the life and effectiveness of the solution. After oxidation, the aqueous solution can be passed through a hydrogen form cation exchange column to remove metal ions. If the aqueous solution contains uranyl or plutonyl ions these can be recovered by extraction for use in making fuel.Also disclosed is a decontaminating solution of water containing about 0.

Abstract: Disclosed is an oxidizing composition of water, about 0.1 to saturation of an alkali metal hypohalite, and sufficient alkali metal hydroxide to raise the pH of the solution to at least about 12. A method of decontaminating metal surfaces having a coating thereon which contains radioactive substances is also disclosed. The composition is passed over the coating at a temperature of about 50.degree. to about 120.degree. C. followed by passing a decontamination solution over the coating.

Abstract: The present invention describes coating processes and the resultant coated articles for use in high temperature sodium environments, such as those found in liquid metal fast breeder reactors and their associated systems. The substrate to which the coating is applied may be either an iron base or nickel base alloy. The coating itself is applied to the substrate by electro-spark deposition techniques which result in metallurgical bonding between the coating and the substrate. One coating according to the present invention involves electro-spark depositing material from a cemented chromium carbide electrode and an aluminum electrode. Another coating according to the present invention involves electro-spark depositing material from a cemented chromium carbide electrode and a nickel-base hardfacing alloy electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming an adherent metal deposit on a conducting layer of a tube sealed at one end. The tube is immersed with the sealed end down into an aqueous solution containing ions of the metal to be deposited. An ionically conducting aqueous fluid is placed inside the tube and a direct current is passed from a cathode inside the tube to an anode outside the tube. Also disclosed is a multi-layered solid oxide fuel cell tube which consists of an inner porous ceramic support tube, a porous air electrode covering the support tube, a non-porous electrolyte covering a portion of the air electrode, a non-porous conducting interconnection covering the remaining portion of the electrode, and a metal deposit on the interconnection.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of electrophoretically depositing a coating of polysulfones or polyethersulfones on a conductive substrate. An amine-free solution is formed in an organic solvent of the polysulfones or polyethersulfones. An emulsion is formed by combining the solution with an organic non-solvent for the polymer which contains up to about 0.6 parts by weight of an organic nitrogen containing base per parts by weight of the polymer. A direct current is applied between a conductive substrate and the emulsion which results in the deposition of the polymer on the substrate.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a fuel pellet for a nuclear reactor. A mixture is prepared of PuO.sub.2 and UO.sub.2 powders, where the mixture contains at least about 30% PuO.sub.2, and where at least about 12% of the Pu is the Pu.sup.240 isotope. To this mixture is added about 0.3 to about 5% of a binder having a melting point of at least about 250.degree. F. The mixture is pressed to form a slug and the slug is granulated. Up to about 4.7% of a lubricant having a melting point of at least about 330.degree. F. is added to the granulated slug. Both the binder and the lubricant are selected from a group consisting of polyvinyl carboxylate, polyvinyl alcohol, naturally occurring high molecular weight cellulosic polymers, chemically modified high molecular weight cellulosic polymers, and mixtures thereof. The mixture is pressed to form a pellet and the pellet is sintered.

Abstract: The invention discloses a polyfunctional imide-containing phenolic imide which is the reaction product of a polyanhydride having at least three anhydride groups and aromatic compound having a single aromatic primary amine group. A varnish is prepared by the addition of an epoxy crosslinking agent to the imide. Fibrous substrates can be impregnated with the varnish and partially cured to prepare prepregs, and stacks of prepregs can then be heated and pressed to prepare laminates or printed circuit boards.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dielectric fluid which comprises about 5 to about 40 molar percent of a first arene compound having up to seven substituent alkenyl carbon atoms and about 60 to about 95 molar percent of a diluent. The diluent can be mineral oil, a second arene compound having up to seven substituent alkyl carbon atoms which are hydrocarbons, hydrocarbon ethers, or a mixture thereof, or a mixture of a mineral oil and a second arene compound. Also preferably included in the dielectric fluid is about 0.5 to about 5% of a free-radical polymerization inhibitor. A capacitor and a transformer containing the dielectric fluid are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition of an epoxy resin and about 0.1 to about 2 moles per epoxy equivalent weight of a .beta.-diketo amide having the general formula ##STR1## where R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl to C.sub.20, aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, and arylalkyl, R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and R.sub.1, and R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of aryl and R.sub.1. A .beta.-diketo modified epoxy resin is also disclosed which has the general formula ##STR2## The .beta.-diketo modified epoxy resin is used in resin compositions to increase their adherence to metals and to chelate with metal containing catalysts, forming self-catalyzed resins.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a capacitor winding by exposing a plasma polymerizable vapor of an organometallic compound to a plasma, moving a polymeric substrate beneath the plasma-exposed polymerizable organometallic vapor at a speed such that the metallic element in the organometallic vapors is deposited on the polymeric substrate to form a conducting layer, and carbon from the organic portion of the organometallic vapor is deposited on top of the conducting layer as a pinhole free highly cross-linked polymeric film. The substrate is then wound on a spool to form the capacitor winding.Also disclosed is apparatus useful for making the capacitor winding which consists of a substantially gas-tight reactor, a pay-out spool containing a wound-up organic polymeric substrate, a take-up spool positioned so that the substrate can move from the pay-out spool to the take-up spool unimpeded, and means for moving the substrate from the pay-out spool to the take-up spool.

Abstract: Disclosed is a resin composition which comprises a mixture of a polyester, an acrylate urethane, in about stoichiometric proportion with the polyester up to about 10% excess polyester over stoichiometric, and a liquid acrylate reactive diluent sufficient to give the resin composition the viscosity of less than 5,000 centipoise. The polyester resin is the reaction product of a polyhydroxy compound having at least three hydroxyl groups, and an aromatic compound that is at least difunctional in acid, anhydride, or ester groups, where the proportion of the polyhydroxy compound to the aromatic compound is such that the polyester has about 150 to about 250 mole % excess hydroxyl groups. The acrylate urethane compound is the reaction product of a hydroxy acrylate and an isocyanate having at least two isocyanate groups, where the hydroxy acrylate and a hydroxy acrylate having a single hydroxyl group are equimolar (when a diisocyanate is used) with the isocyanate .+-.10 mole %.

Abstract: The zirconium 91 isotopic content of zirconium is reduced by forming a solution of a zirconium compound and a scavenger of 8-hydroxyquinoline or its derivatives, and irradiating the solution with light at a wavelength which excites the compound so that it reacts with the scavenger. Because the molecules containing the zirconium 91 isotope remain excited longer, they react disproportionately with the scavenger. The reaction product, which precipitates from the solution, is therefore enriched in the zirconium 91 isotope. Micelle-forming agents can be added to the solution to enhance the isotopic enrichment.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for forming a chemically vapor deposited coating on a porous substrate where oxygen from a first gaseous reactant containing a source of oxygen permeates through the pores of the substrate to react with a second gaseous reactant that is present on the other side of the substrate. The apparatus includes means for controlling the pressure and flow rate of each gaseous reactant, a manometer for measuring the difference in pressure between the gaseous reactants on each side of the substrate, and means for changing the difference in pressure between the gaseous reactants. Also disclosed is a method of detecting and closing cracks in the coating by reducing the pressure difference between the two gaseous reactants whenever the pressure difference falls suddenly after gradually rising, then again increasing the pressure difference on the two gases.

Abstract: This is a process for producing an iron-boron-silicon-carbon composition for use in magnetic amorphous alloys. This process utilizes the carbon reduction of boric acid and avoids the use of expensive ferroboron as an ingredient. It also results in an alloy which is substantially free from aluminum. The process uses a mixture of iron-containing constituent, silicon-containing constituent, carbon-containing constituent and boric acid. Only 1-2 times the stoichiometric boron-containing amount of boric acid is required. The iron constituent is preferably selected from iron, ferrosilicon, carbon-containing iron, and mixtures thereof. The silicon content is preferably selected from the silicon, ferrosilicon, and mixtures thereof. The carbon constituent is preferably selected from the group consisting of carbon, carbon in iron, and mixtures thereof. The boric acid is lanced into the bottom of a molten pool which generally contains the other constituents.

Abstract: This is a process for producing an iron-boron-silicon-carbon composition for a magnetic amorphous alloy. This process utilizes the silicon reduction of B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and avoids using expensive ferroboron as an ingredient. It also results in an alloy which is substantially free from aluminum impurity. The process uses a mixture of an iron containing constituent, a silicon containing constituent, a carbon-containing constituent and boric acid. Only 1-1.75 times the stoichiometric boron-containing amount of boric acid is required. The iron constituent is preferably selected from iron, iron oxide, ferrosilicon, carbon in iron and mixtures thereof. The silicon constituent is preferably selected from silicon, ferrosilicon, and mixtures thereof. The carbon constituent is preferably selected from the group consisting of carbon, carbon in iron and mixtures thereof. The reaction produces molten iron-3% boron-5% silicon alloy with up to 1% carbon. The reaction also produces a silicon dioxide containing slag.

Abstract: This is a process for producing a ferroboron containing 0.5-20% silicon and up to 4.5% carbon. This process utilizes the silicon reduction of B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and avoids excessive losses due to volatilization of B.sub.2 O.sub.3. It also results in a ferroboron which is substantially free from aluminum impurity. The process uses a mixture, which includes an iron-containing constituent, a silicon containing constituent, and boric acid. Preferably a molten pool is prepared and controlled to a temperature of 1100-1550 (and preferably 1100.degree.-1450.degree. C.) prior to the addition of the boric acid. At least some of the silicon constituent can also be injected into the molten pool along with the boric acid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition that includes a liquid prepolymer that is the reaction product of a monoanhydride, a cycloaliphatic epoxy, and an alcohol. Also included in the composition is a maleated polybutadiene that is a reaction product of butadiene, maleic anhydride, and an oxygen scavenger. The composition also includes a tertiary amine accelerator, a free-radical initiator, and a solvent. A prepreg is prepared from the composition by immersing a porous substrate into the composition, drying and curing to the B-stage. A laminate is prepared by forming a stack of prepregs and heating under pressure to the C-stage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of coating an electrode on a solid oxygen conductive oxide layer. A coating of particles of an electronic conductor is formed on one surface of the oxide layer and a source of oxygen is applied to the opposite surface of the oxide layer. A metal halide vapor is applied over the electronic conductor and the oxide layer is heated to a temperature sufficient to induce oxygen to diffuse through the oxide layer and react with the metal halide vapor. This results in the growing of a metal oxide coating on the particles of electronic conductor, thereby binding them to the oxide layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compound having a fluorite-like structure comprising a solid solution having the general formula [(ZrO.sub.2).sub.1-x (MO.sub.s).sub.x ].sub.1-y [(La.sub.m A.sub.1-m).sub.2-z (Mn.sub.n B.sub.1-n).sub.z O.sub.r ].sub.y where MO.sub.5 is an oxide selected from the group consisting of calcia, yttria, rare earth oxides, and mixtures thereof, x is about 0.1 to 0.3, y is about 0.005 to about 0.06, z is about 0.1 to about 1.9, A is yttrium, rare earth element, alkaline earth element, or mixture thereof, B is iron, nickel, cobalt, or mixture thereof, m is 0.3 to 1, n is 0.5 to 1, and r is 2 to 4. A porous tube made from such a composition can be coated with an electrically conducting mixed oxide electrode such as lanthanum manganite, and can be used in making high temperature electrochemical cells such as solid electrolyte fuel cells.