ZIRCONIUM HIGHLIGHTS

Technical Report · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1958

OSTI ID:4281570

Experiments were penformed to determine the composition and characteristics of stringers in Zircaloy-2 using argon atmosphere arc-meltod material in the form of tube sections. This material had been previously annealed for 3 hr at 750 deg C after tube reduction. During production testing of reactor fuel elements a defect was encountered which consistod of three small bumps'' near the front end of the extrusion. The defect was the result of the Zircaloy-2 melting operation. The defect conslstod of tin-rich hard particles which oxidizod during the final corrosion test. Vacuum annealing Zircaloy-2 material for H/sub 2/ rcmoved at 750 deg C, subscquent to a cold rolling operation, has resulted in occasional cases of excessivc grain growth. A study was undertaken to determine the conditions whlch affectod the growth of thcse grains and methods by which the growth of these grains can be controlled. Zircaloy-2 cruciforms having 5-inch span and a 0.3000-inch blade thickness have been successfully extruded. No jacketing was usod on the billet. The reduction ratio was 8.4 to l. (For preceding period see WAPD-ZH-ll.) (W.L.H.)

• Research Organization: Westinghouse Electric Corp. Bettis Plant, Pittsburgh
• DOE Contract Number: AT(11-1)-GEN-14
• NSA Number: NSA-13-004729
• OSTI ID: 4281570
• Report Number(s): WAPD-ZH-12
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ANNEALING
ARGON
COLD WORKING
CONFIGURATION
CONTROL
DEFECTS
ELECTRIC ARCS
EXPANSION
EXTRUSION
FUEL ELEMENTS
GRAIN SIZE
HIGH TEMPERATURE
HYDROGEN
INERT GASES
MATERIALS TESTING
MELTING
METALLURGY AND CERAMICS
OXIDATION
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
ROLLING
THICKNESS
TIN
TUBES
VACUUM
ZIRCALOY