SPOT AND SEAM WELDING OF ZIRCALOY 3

Journal Article · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1960 · Welding J. (N.Y.)

OSTI ID:4187411

Nippes, E F; Savage, W F; Wu, K C

Zircaloy 3, an alloy of zirconium with nominal composition of 0.25% tia and 0.25% iron, is an ideal structural material for nuclear reactors. It combines reasonably high mechanical strength with a low-capture cross section for thermal neutrons. The optimum spot-welding conditions for 0.062- and 0.110-in. Zircaloy 3 sheet were determined. The optimum conditions for seam welding were determined only for the 0.062-in. sheet. To obtain a consistent weld strength, the tenacious, low-conductivity surface film must be removed from the surface of Zircaloy 3 sheet. A pickling solution consisting of 100 parts concentrated HCl (assay 37%) with 1 part 48% HF was found to be satisfactory for removing the surface film. After one minute in tals solution, a consistent surface-contact resistance of the order of 40 microhms was obtained. To simulate actual practice, the effect of storage environment after picking was studied. The tensile-shear strength of spot-welded Zircaloy 3 was high; its normal-tension strength was comparatively low. Welding under an argon atmosphere improved both the tensile-shear and normal-tension strength, but did not materially change the ductility ratio. Tests performed at 500 deg F showed a decrease in the tensile- shear strength and an increase in the normal-tension strength and the ductility ratio. (auth)

• Research Organization: Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst., Troy, N.Y.
• NSA Number: NSA-14-009764
• OSTI ID: 4187411
• Journal Information: Welding J. (N.Y.), Journal Name: Welding J. (N.Y.) Vol. Vol: 39
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ARGON
CAPTURE
CLEANING
CORROSION
CROSS SECTIONS
DUCTILITY
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
FILMS
HYDROCHLORIC ACID
HYDROFLUORIC ACID
INERT GASES
IRON ALLOYS
MATERIALS TESTING
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
METALS, CERAMICS, AND MATERIALS
PICKLING
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
REACTORS
SAMPLING
SEAM WELDING
SHEAR
SHEETS
SOLUTIONS
STRESSES
SURFACES
TEMPERATURE
TENSILE PROPERTIES
THERMAL NEUTRONS
TIN ALLOYS
WELDING
WELDS
ZIRCALOY
ZIRCONIUM ALLOYS