DYNAPAK EXTRUSION OF I & E FUEL ELEMENTS. PHASE III. TECHNICAL ACTIVITY. ALPHA PHASE EXTRUSION AND BETA PHASE HEAT TREATMENT IN ONE OPERATION

Technical Report · Tue May 14 04:00:00 EDT 1963

OSTI ID:4639954

Carloni, Q C; Lewis, L

A series of extrusion experiments were conducted to evaluate various aspects in the DYNAPAK extrusion of I&E 0'' size slugs. The prime objectives were to demonstrate the feasibility of and develop the combined alpha phase extrusion-beta phase quench technique in one operation for the Dynapak extrusion of uranium fuel elements. These objectives were fulfilled in part. Good surface quality and close dimensional tolerances were demonstrated. More development work is needed to develop a uniform structure throughout the fuel element slug length. Suitable die materials, AISI H-13 (nitrided) and straight tungsten carbide (Type H-25) were found and show somewhat superior wear resistance properties to other materials evaluated thus far. However, a long wear life mandrel material is still lacking. The extrusion of hollow billets without a mandrel appears to have no future in the present development activity, but may find use in other appropriate areas. A contained die (in liner) tooling design for the elimination of defects gave no evidence of superiority over conventional tooling employed. Bearing approach radii greater than one-quarter (1/4") of an inch appear conducive to more streamline metal flow and shallow rear end defects. More work would be needed to completely substantiate these observations. Double length fuel element slugs, I&E 0'' size, approximately nineteen (l9) inches long were produced. Dependent upon the metal volume and the actual maximum DYNAPAK machine energy available, triple length slugs may be possible. (auth)

• Research Organization: Bridgeport Brass Co., Seymour, Conn.
• NSA Number: NSA-17-036242
• OSTI ID: 4639954
• Report Number(s): BRB-73
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ALLOTROPY
BEARINGS
DEFECTS
DIES
EXTRUSION
FUEL ELEMENTS
HEAT TREATMENTS
METALS, CERAMICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS
RODS
STABILITY
STANDARDS
SURFACES
TOOLS
TUNGSTEN CARBIDES
URANIUM
WEAR