Nuclear fuel element

Patent · Tue Apr 29 04:00:00 EDT 1980

OSTI ID:863566

Armijo, Joseph S ^[1]

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1. Saratoga, CA

A nuclear fuel element for use in the core of a nuclear reactor is disclosed and has an improved composite cladding comprised of a moderate purity metal barrier of zirconium metallurgically bonded on the inside surface of a zirconium alloy tube. The metal barrier forms a shield between the alloy tube and a core of nuclear fuel material enclosed in the composite cladding. There is a gap between the cladding and the core. The metal barrier forms about 1 to about 30 percent of the thickness of the composite cladding and has low neutron absorption characteristics. The metal barrier serves as a preferential reaction site for gaseous impurities and fission products and protects the alloy tube from contact and reaction with such impurities and fission products. Methods of manufacturing the composite cladding are also disclosed.

• Assignee: General Electric Company (San Jose, CA)
• Patent Number(s): US 4200492
• Application Number: 05/838,161
• OSTI ID: 863566
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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/376/976/
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