High-strength, creep-resistant excel pressure tubes

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Am. Soc. Test. Mater., Spec. Tech. Publ.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1520/STP37055S· OSTI ID:6061935

Cheadle, B A; Holt, R A; Fidleris, V; Causey, A R; Urbanic, V F

Pressure tubes for CANada Deuterium Uranium Pressurized Heavy Water reactors are made from Zr-2.5Nb by extruding preheated hollow billets into tubes that are cold-worked 30 percent to size. The fabrication process produces fine elongated ..cap alpha..-grains with a high dislocation density which makes a large contribution to the tensile strength of the tubes but increases in-reactor creep and growth rates. The alloy Excel (Zr-3.5Sn-0.8Mo-0.8Nb) is stronger and more creep resistant than Zr-2.5Nb and is being developed as a pressure tube material. Tubes have been fabricated that are as strong as the Zr-2.5Nb tubes but they have more equiaxed ..cap alpha..-grains with much lower dislocation densities. The tubes corrode faster than the Zr-2.5Nb tubes and will require 0.1 mm more corrosion allowance of the 4.1-mm-thick walls. However, there in-service axial elongation and diametral expansion due to irradiation creep and growth will be 70 percent less than the Zr-2.5Nb tubes.

• Research Organization: Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., Chalk River, Ontario
• OSTI ID: 6061935
• Journal Information: Am. Soc. Test. Mater., Spec. Tech. Publ.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Soc. Test. Mater., Spec. Tech. Publ.; (United States) Vol. 754; ISSN ASTTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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BARYONS
CANDU TYPE REACTORS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
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NUCLEONS
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REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR COOLING SYSTEMS
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ZIRCONIUM ALLOYS