Fabrication of hot die sized diffusion bonded fuel elements from oil and water quenched cores for production test IP-708-A
The hot die sizing (HDS) process is being considered as a replacement for the existing AlSi brazing process. Fuel cores are clad by passing a preheated core-component assembly through a die to bond the outside surface. Concurrently, the assembly is passed over a die plug to bond the internal surface. End bonding is accomplished in a following step by applying heat and pressure to the sized fuel element. Remaining fabrication steps are essentially the same as those used for AlSi brazed fuel. Initial irradiation tests indicated that hot die sized fuels experienced in-reactor growth behavior which differed from that of the matched AlSi fuels in the tests. Presently, two tests are being irradiated in the reactor for determining the effect of end-bonding method, and end-bonding pressure in combination with fuel core geometry, upon fuel element diametral growth during irradiation. Due to the length of time required for irradiation and examination, a third test to determine the effect of core heat treatment and stress relieving has been prepared and is ready for reactor charging. This report summarizes the fabrication of oil and water-quenched cores pretreated by both alpha annealing and AlSi brazing for {open_quotes}Production Test IP-708-A, Evaluation of Oil Quenched Hot Die Sized Elements,{close_quotes} HW-83454.
- Research Organization:
- General Electric Co., Richland, WA (United States). Hanford Atomic Products Operation
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 10170768
- Report Number(s):
- HW--83454-D; ON: DE94016038
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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