HTMP Quarterly Progress Report (October 1977)

Steady progress has been maintained in the technical work at CIIR Oslo and in Wimborne and various aspects are briefly described in the appropriate sections of the reports. Perhaps the most significant step forward in the work was the detailed study of a number of the alloys exposed in the CIIR programme using an Electron-Microprobe Analyser. This has aided in relating the nature of the chemical constituents in the oxide films with the degree of carburisation. The study has revealed that films based on Mn/Ti and Nb/Si appear to provide excellent protection towards carburisation and opens the way to optimising the choice of alloys for HTR applications above 800°C. Liaison with KFA Juelich and organisations involved in HTMP work continued and the annual technical review meeting with GA/ERDA was held in September at Wimborne and Oslo.