The mass-energy spectrum of the fragments of U-236 fission is investig
ated in the mass region below 85 amu. The yield of nickel and iron iso
topes is found to be approximately 10(-3)%; this value is higher than
the yield of these isotopes for other fissile nuclei. The existence of
a new fission channel associated with the proton shell P = 28 is assu
med. The experimental kinetic-energy distribution is used to find the
spectrum of scission deformations of Gd isotopes in highly asymmetric
fission. The corresponding beta-deformation parameter is distributed a
round an average value of 0.84, which is in good agreement with the pr
edicted value. The role of the scission barrier is demonstrated.