SEDL / STP / STP1295-EB / STP16206S

Development of Pressure Tubes with Service Life Greater Than 30 Years

Coleman, CE
Branch manager, division director, and scientist engineer, AECL, Chalk River Laboratories, Chalk River, Ontario

Cheadle, BA
Branch manager, division director, and scientist engineer, AECL, Chalk River Laboratories, Chalk River, Ontario

Cann, CD
Senior scientist engineer, AECL, Whiteshell Laboratories, Pinawa, Manitoba

Theaker, JR
Branch manager, division director, and scientist engineer, AECL, Chalk River Laboratories, Chalk River, Ontario

Pages: 15    Published: Jan 1996

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Abstract

The steps required for the development of a Zr-2.5Nb pressure tube with a 30-year service life are outlined. The life-limiting factors of fracture and deformation are described, and progress towards closing the gap between the properties required to meet the target lifetime and the behavior of current materials is summarized. Fracture is avoided by eliminating hydrides at reactor operating temperatures, by controlling the initial hydrogen concentration and minimizing deuterium ingress from corrosion, and maintaining high toughness. Tube elongation has been reduced by microstructural modification, but transverse deformation remains a challenge.