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Nuclear fuel cladding containing a burnable absorber

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5404769

A nuclear fuel cladding is described having a predetermined concentration of burnable absorber integrally incorporated therein, for use in containing a nuclear fuel in a reactor, the cladding formed as a hollow composite tube comprising: an outer tubular layer, having a first thickness of at least 15 mils, consisting essentially of a first zirconium alloy; an intermediate layer bonded to the inner wall of the outer tubular layer, having a second thickness less than the first thickness, consisting essentially of a mixture of a boron-containing material having a predetermined enrichment of boron and a second zirconium alloy, the second thickness being defined by the predetermined enrichment of boron in the boron-containing material and by the predetermined concentration of burnable absorber incorporated into the fuel cladding; and an inner layer of zirconium metal, having a third thickness less than the second thickness, bonded to the intermediate layer, the third thickness being sufficient to isolate the intermediate layer from the nuclear fuel.

Assignee:
Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA
Patent Number(s):
US 4717534
OSTI ID:
5404769
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English