FABRICATION OF ZIRCALOY MILL PRODUCTS FOR IMPROVED MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES

摘要

A novel process for making zircaloy mill products with improved fabricability and free of large carbide (silicide or phosphide) particles by a high beta phase heat treatment and/or a low beta phase quenching process followed by rapid cooling and/or air annealing after extrusion or primary fabrication. This also provides final product with uniform equiaxed alpha grain structure and improved aqueous steam corrosion resistance.