Development of techniques for joining fuel rod simulators to test assemblies

Technical Report · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5555667· OSTI ID:5555667

Moorhead, A J; Reed, R W

A unique tubular electrode carrier is described for gas tungsten-arc welding small-diameter nuclear fuel rod simulators to the tubesheet of a test assembly. Both the close-packed geometry of the array of simulators and the extension of coaxial electrical conductors from each simulator hindered access to the weld joint. Consequently, a conventional gas tungsten-arc torch could not be used. Two seven-rod assemblies that were mockups of the simulator-to-tubesheet joint area were welded and successfully tested. Modified versions of the electrode carrier for brazing electrical leads to the upper ends of the fuel pin simulators are also described. Satisfactory brazes have been made on both single-rod mockups and an array of 25 simulators by using the modified electrode carrier and a filler metal with a composition of 71.5 Ag-28 Cu-0.5 Ni.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5555667
• Report Number(s): ORNL-5591
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210500 -- Power Reactors
Breeding
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220200* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Components & Accessories
ANALOG SYSTEMS
BREEDER REACTORS
EPITHERMAL REACTORS
FABRICATION
FAST REACTORS
FBR TYPE REACTORS
FUEL ELEMENTS
FUEL RODS
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
GAS COOLED REACTORS
GCFR REACTOR
GCFR TYPE REACTORS
HELIUM COOLED REACTORS
JOINING
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTORS
SIMULATORS
TEST FACILITIES
WELDING