MAGNEFORMING OF APM-UO$sub 2$ FUEL RODS

Technical Report · Fri Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1963

OSTI ID:4651792

Supan, E C

S>Magnetic pulse swaging was investigated as a fabrication method to eliminate the fuel-cladding annulus in APM-clad UO/sub 2/ fuel rods. Potential advantages of a zero annulus over the small fuel-cladding annulus of 0.0015 inch specified for OPHR fuel rods are cited for ease of fabrication and improved heat transfer by contact conductance. Magnetic pulse forming, a new high energy rate metalworking process, was used to fabricate three simulated fuel rods. SAP 930, 8-finned tubing (0.305 inch ID) was swaged over 0.300 inch dia pellets of stainless steel, grade A'' lavite, and normal UO/sub 2/, by the application of electromagnetic forces. A swaging technique was necessarily developed to avoid distortion of the APM cladding and to establish the magnetic pulse power requirements. Radiographic inspection of the swaged, simulated fuel rods revealed intimate contact between cladding and pellets. It was shown that contact between APM cladding and UO/sub 2/ pellets was retained after thermal cycling and heat treatment to 900 deg F. Tensile hoop stresses are believed to be present in the swaged cladding. It is concluded that magnetic-pulse swaging is a feasible method of fabricating collapsed-clad APM- UO/sub 2/ fuel rods. It is recommended that any further development efforts include a study of cladding stresses in swaged fuel rods. (auth)

• Research Organization: Atomics International. Div. of North American Aviation, Inc., Canoga Park, Calif.
• DOE Contract Number: AT(11-1)-GEN-8
• NSA Number: NSA-17-036250
• OSTI ID: 4651792
• Report Number(s): NAA-SR-Memo-8202
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

COATING
DEFORMATION
ELECTROMAGNETISM
EXPANSION
FABRICATION
FUEL ELEMENTS
HEAT TRANSFER
HEAT TREATMENTS
MAGNETISM
METALS, CERAMICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS
PELLETS
RADIOAUTOGRAPHY
RODS
STAINLESS STEELS
STRESSES
THERMAL STRESSES
URANIUM DIOXIDE