IRRADIATION OF UO$sub 2$ FUEL ELEMENTS TO STUDY CIRCUMFERENTIAL RIDGING OF THE SHEATH
The irradiation of Zircaloy-2 clad UO/sub 2/ fuel elements showed that circumferential ridges which occur in the sheath at pellet interfaces form on a purposely defected specimen to a slightly greater extent than on an intact specimen. Since the defect served to equalize the internal and external pressures, neither the axial load imposed on the end plugs by the coolant pressure nor the expansion of filling gas trapped between pellets during assembly played an important part in the formation of the ridges. Cold working of the sheathing reduced slightly, but did not eliminate, the ridging. Increasing the sheath thickness by 55% had no appreciable effect. Aluminum sheath specimens with chamfered UO/sub 2/ pellets irradiated in the Hydraulic Rabbit developed twin ridges with a depression between. The corners of the pellets were still intact, indicating that in the Hydraulic Rabbit specimens crumbling of the pellet corners does not contribute to the formation of circumferential ridges. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., Chalk River, Ont.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-16-015243
- OSTI ID:
- 4783384
- Report Number(s):
- CRFD-1074; AECL-1463
- Country of Publication:
- Canada
- Language:
- English
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