EP0085553A2
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EP
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Zirconium alloy fabrication processes
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1983-01-28
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-01-28
Abstract
Abstract Modifying standard Zircaloy alloy processing techniques by limiting the working and annealing temperatures utilized after conventional beta treatment results in Zircaloy alloy product having superior high temperature steam corrosion resistance.
Inventors
- 👤 Samuel Gilbert Mcdonald
- 👤 George Paul Sabol
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 23:18
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22C; C22C16/00; C22F; C22F1/00; C22F1/16; C22F1/18; C22F1/186; G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/02; G21C3/04; G21C3/06; G21C3/07; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
48 words
An article of Zircaloy alloy material having a region of microstructure adjacent a surface of the article characterized in that, said region of microstructure comprises a substantially random distribution of precipitates, and said surface exhibits an adherent oxide film after five days exposure to 454°C, 10.3 MPa steam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
48 words
An article of Zircaloy alloy material having a region of microstructure adjacent a surface of the article characterized in that, said region of microstructure comprises a substantially random distribution of precipitates, and said surface exhibits an adherent oxide film after five days exposure to 454°C, 10.3 MPa steam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An article according to claim 1, characterized in that the precipitates have an average size below approximately 1100 angstroms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the precipitates have an average size below approximately 800 angstroms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An article according to claim 3, characterized in that the average precipitate size is below approximately 500 to 770 angstroms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
An article according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the microstructure further comprises a tangle of dislocations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
An article according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the microstructure further comprises polygonal alpha grains.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
An article according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, the material further comprises an anisotropic crystallographic texture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
An article according to claim 7, characterized in that the material comprises precipitates in a matrix of alpha phase material which has the anisotropic crystallographic texture.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
An article according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the region of microstructure is adjacent a major surface of the article.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
A process for fabricating Zircaloy alloy shapes characterized by heating a Zircaloy intermediate product to an elevated temperature above the alpha + beta to beta transus temperature; quenching said Zircaloy intermediate product from said elevated temperature to a temperature below the alpha + beta to alpha transus temperature; and subsequently thermomechanically working said Zircaloy intermediate product at a temperature below approximately 625°C.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
A process for fabricating Zircaloy alloy shapes characterized by heating a Zircaloy intermediate product to an elevated temperature above the alpha + beta to beta transus temperature; quenching said Zircaloy intermediate product from said elevated temperature to a temperature below the alpha + beta to alpha transus temperature; and subsequently thermomechanically working said Zircaloy intermediate product at a temperature below approximately 625°C.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
A process for fabricating Zircaloy alloy shapes characterized by beta treating a Zircaloy alloy billet; subsequently deforming said billet at a temperature below approximately 625°C; then further deforming said material through cold working steps; and annealing said material between said cold working steps at a temperature of approximately 500 to 600°C.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
A process for fabricating Zircaloy alloy shapes characterized by beta treating a Zircaloy alloy billet; subsequently deforming said billet at a temperature below approximately 625°C; then further deforming said material through cold working steps; and annealing said material between said cold working steps at a temperature of approximately 500 to 600°C.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 11, characterized by final annealing of the material at a temperature below about 600°C after the last cold working step.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 12, characterized in that the final anneal is a stress relief anneal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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