FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF GAS-PRESSURE BONDING OF ZIRCALOY-CLAD FLAT-PLATE URANIUM DIOXIDE FUEL ELEMENTS
The effects of core barrier coatings, void spaces, and surface-cleaning techniques on the quality of Zircaloyclad flat-plate UO/sub 2/ fuel elements prepared by gas-pressure bonding were investigated. Techniques were developed for the application of barrier layers of chromium by a vapordeposition process and of crystalline carbon by a pyrolytic process. These coatings, together with a graphite coating previously developed, were evaluated in pressure-bonded fuel elements for their effectiveness in preventing coreto-cladding reaction and for their general production feasibility. Crystalline carbon coatings 15 to 40 mu in. thick and chromium coatings 25 to 40 mu in. thick were determined to be satisfactory. In the stady of the flow of cladding-plate material into void spaces in the picture-frame assembly, it was established that excessive flow, and consequent thinning of the cladding, can be minimized by individually compartmentalizing the cores with Zircaloy ribs. This design resulted in maximum restriction of the effects of a cladding failure in service. Quantitative data on the maximum amount of void space resulting from manufucturing tolerances or from chipped fuel cores that is tolerable in cladding failure in service. Quantitative data on the maximum amount of void space resulting from manufucturing tolerances or from chipped fuel cores that is tolerable in elements of this design were obtained. In stadies of surface-cleaning technlques, it was found that a final multistep rinsing cycle resulted in bonds consistently free of evidence of contamination. (See also BMI-1374.) (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Battelle Memorial Inst., Columbus, Ohio
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-92
- NSA Number:
- NSA-14-015949
- OSTI ID:
- 4138392
- Report Number(s):
- BMI-1436
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
BARRIERS
BONDING
CANNING
CARBON
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHROMIUM
CLEANING
COATING
CRYSTALS
ERRORS
FABRICATION
FAILURES
FINS
FLUID FLOW
FUEL ELEMENTS
GASES
GRAPHITE
INTERFERING ELEMENTS
LAYERS
METALS, CERAMICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS
PLANNING
PLATES
POROSITY
POWER
PRESSURE
PRODUCTION
PYROLYSIS
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
REACTOR CORE
SAP
SINTERED MATERIALS
SURFACES
THICKNESS
URANIUM DIOXIDE
USES
VAPORS
ZIRCALOY