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U.S. Department of Energy
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Brazing of AM-350 stainless steel LWBR fuel rod support grids (LWBR Development Program)

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6169300· OSTI ID:6169300

A brazing process has been developed wherein several hundred stamped AM-350 stainless steel sheet metal components, wire components and machined bar components were simultaneously joined together to fabricate about 400 grids of different sizes for the LWBR fuel rod support system. High temperature (2110F +- 20F) vacuum brazing was employed using Ni--Cr--Si braze alloy filler metal in the form of paste. Techniques employed in the assembly, braze alloy application and fixturing of grids to achieve adequate dimensional control are discussed in detail. The brazing thermal cycle as related to the complex metallurgical process of both AM-350 stainless steel and the Ni--Cr--Si braze alloy is also discussed.

Research Organization:
Bettis Atomic Power Lab., Pittsburgh, PA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-C-11-0014
OSTI ID:
6169300
Report Number(s):
WAPD-TM-1297
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English