SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1996
STP16206S

Development of Pressure Tubes with Service Life Greater Than 30 Years

Source

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.

Author Information

Coleman, CE
AECL, Chalk River Laboratories, Chalk River, Ontario, Canada
Cheadle, BA
AECL, Chalk River Laboratories, Chalk River, Ontario, Canada
Cann, CD
AECL, Whiteshell Laboratories, Pinawa, Manitoba, Canada
Theaker, JR
AECL, Chalk River Laboratories, Chalk River, Ontario, Canada
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Details
Developed by Committee: B10
Pages: 884–898
DOI: 10.1520/STP16206S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5343-1
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-2406-6