SEDL / STP / STP1245-EB / STP15195S

Fabrication Process of High Nodular Corrosion-Resistant Zircaloy-2 Tubing

Abe, H
Assistant manager and engineer, Precision Tube Making Plant; Steel Tube Works, Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd., Amagasaki, Hyogo

Matsuda, K
Managers, Steel Tube Works, Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd., Amagasaki, Hyogo

Hama, T
Assistant manager and engineer, Precision Tube Making Plant; Steel Tube Works, Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd., Amagasaki, Hyogo

Konishi, T
Managers, Steel Tube Works, Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd., Amagasaki, Hyogo

Furugen, M
Managers, Steel Tube Works, Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd., Amagasaki, Hyogo

Pages: 22    Published: Jan 1994

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Abstract

A new fabrication process of high nodular corrosion-resistant Zircaloy-2 tubing for boiling water reactors (BWRs) water rods has been developed. The main features and findings are: 1. Development of a new quenching machine and method, by which tube shell can be α + β through-wall quenched at a rapid cooling rate of >50 K/s from 1173 to 1073 K. 2. High nodular corrosion-resistant tube shells, quenched at both hollow billet and tube shell stages, have less deformability, especially in the circumferential compression direction. 3. Reduction in area in combination with Q-value affect crack sensitivity during pilgering. Area reductions greater than 80% at high Q-values were proved possible with minimal or no cracking. 4. Consequently, a new fabrication process, consisting of two cold reduction passes from tube shell to final product, has been successfully developed. The final tubing showed high nodular corrosion resistance, having no nodules in the high temperature (773 K) corrosion test.