Approved by the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Special Education of the RSFSR as a teaching aid for students of engineering-physical, metallurgical and chemical-technological higher educational institutions and faculties . The book is based on a course of lectures given by the authors at the Moscow Engineering and Physics Institute .. It examines the physico-chemical properties of uranium, thorium and plutonium, their most important compounds and alloys, gives the characteristics of raw materials, sets out the foundations of the theory and technology of processing raw materials to metals and methods for their separation and refining. The main requirements for nuclear fuel are discussed and information is given about the methods of its physical, mechanical and thermal treatment used to obtain maximum burnout and radiation resistance. The book is a textbook for students, postgraduates and students of advanced training courses of the Moscow Engineering and Physics Institute, as well as other universities . It will be useful to a wide range of engineers and researchers of institutes and enterprises dealing with metallurgy and metallurgy of nuclear materials ..