Ultra-pure zirconium-tin liner material for nuclear reactor fuel elements

摘要

Zirconium alloys for use in liners of reactor fuel element claddings in which the zirconium is alloyed with 0.1-0.4 weight percent tin. A very low metallic impurity level contributes to the reduction of solid solution strengthening, second phase formation, property variability from lot to lot and susceptibility to steam corrosion. Preferably, oxygen is controlled to a very low level as well, to provide a low, but fabricable, hardness in the alloyed liner material.