US4011133A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Austenitic stainless steel alloys having improved resistance to fast neutron-induced swelling
Assignee: Energy Research and Development Administration ERDA
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Filing: 1975-07-16
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Granted: 1977-03-08
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Expires: 1995-07-16
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is based on the discovery that radiation-induced voids which occur during fast neutron irradiation can be controlled by small but effective additions of titanium and silicon. The void-suppressing effect of these metals in combination is demonstrated and particularly apparent in austenitic stainless steels.
Inventors
- 👤 Everett E. Bloom
- 👤 James O. Stiegler
- 👤 Arthur F. Rowcliffe
- 👤 James M. Leitnaker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:20
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22C; C22C38/00; C22C38/18; C22C38/40; C22C38/50; C22C38/44; G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/02; G21C3/04; G21C3/06; G21C3/07; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
A nuclear fuel element comprising a core selected from the group consisting of an oxide nitride or carbide of uranium and an austenitic stainless steel alloy cladding consisting essentially of Fe, Cr, and Ni as prescribed within the area ABCD in the ternary diagram of FIG. 3, and a void depressing concentration of Si and Ti.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
56 words
A nuclear fuel element comprising a core selected from the group consisting of an oxide nitride or carbide of uranium and an austenitic stainless steel alloy cladding consisting essentially of Fe, Cr, and Ni as prescribed within the area ABCD in the ternary diagram of FIG. 3, and a void depressing concentration of Si and Ti.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The fuel element of claim 1 in which the core comprises a mixture of an oxide, nitride, or carbide of uranium and an oxide, nitride, or carbide of a metal selected from the group consisting of plutonium or thorium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The nuclear fuel element of claim 1 in which the austenitic stainless steel cladding consists essentially of, in weight percent, 8.7 to 16.2 percent chromium, 13.4 to 19.4 percent nickel, 1.9 to 2.3 percent molybdenum, a void suppressing concentration of silicon and titanium and the balance iron.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The nuclear fuel element of claim 3 in which the silicon concentration in the cladding is in the range 0.7 to 2 percent and the titanium concentration is in the range 0.1 to 0.5 percent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
In a method for cladding a reactor fuel comprising an oxide, nitride, or carbide of uranium, the improvement which comprises cladding said fuel with an austenitic stainless steel consisting essentially of Fe, Cr, and Ni as prescribed within the area ABCD in the ternary diagram of FIG. 3, a void depressing concentration of Si and Ti, and incidental alloy ingredients.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
In a method for cladding a reactor fuel comprising an oxide, nitride, or carbide of uranium, the improvement which comprises cladding said fuel with an austenitic stainless steel consisting essentially of Fe, Cr, and Ni as prescribed within the area ABCD in the ternary diagram of FIG. 3, a void depressing concentration of Si and Ti, and incidental alloy ingredients.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-03-07 | 1980-09-06 | 1981-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-07 | 1984-09-06 | 1985-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-07 | 1988-09-06 | 1989-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |