US4212686A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Zirconium alloys
Assignee: Atomenergikommissionen
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Filing: 1978-03-03
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Granted: 1980-07-15
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Expires: 1998-03-03
Abstract
Abstract The present invention concerns improved corrosion resistant zirconium alloys consisting of 0.25 to 1.50% by weight of niobium, 0.025 to 0.20% by weight of tin, 0.02 to 1.00% by weight of combined chromium and molybdenum, and the remainder zirconium except for unavoidable impurities. Corrosion tests show that the above alloys have a corrosion rate comparable to Zircaloy 2 at low temperatures and a much better performance at high temperatures. Further the hydrogen uptake of the present alloys are considerably lower than for Zircaloy 2 over the whole temperature range 290 DEG -500 DEG C., and reactor tests have revealed that the good corrosion behavior is maintained under neutron irradiation. The new alloys exhibit smaller grain growth than Zircaloy 2 at annealing temperatures.
Inventors
- 👤 Liv Lunde
- 👤 Raymond C. Asher
- 👤 Gerard Slattery
- 👤 Frank W. Trowse
- 👤 Christopher Tyzack
- 👤 Gustaf C. stberg
- 👤 Erich Tolksdorf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:55
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22C; C22C16/00; G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/02; G21C3/04; G21C3/16; G21C3/20; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
Zirconium alloys which are characterized by their corrosion resistance and machanical properties, the alloys consisting essentially of 0.25 to 1.50% by weight of niobium, 0.025 to 0.20% by weight of tin, 0.02 to 1.00% by weight of total chromium and molybdenum, each of said chromium and molybdenum being present in respective amounts of at least 100 p.p.m. for chromium and 45 p.p.m. for molybdenum, and the remainder of zirconium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
Zirconium alloys which are characterized by their corrosion resistance and machanical properties, the alloys consisting essentially of 0.25 to 1.50% by weight of niobium, 0.025 to 0.20% by weight of tin, 0.02 to 1.00% by weight of total chromium and molybdenum, each of said chromium and molybdenum being present in respective amounts of at least 100 p.p.m. for chromium and 45 p.p.m. for molybdenum, and the remainder of zirconium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
90 words
Zirconium alloys which are characterized by their corrosion resistance and mechanical properties, the alloys consisting of 0.45 to 1.20% by weight of niobium, 0.04 to 0.1% by weight of tin, 0.25 to 0.60% by weight of total chromium and molybdenum, each of said chromium and molybdenum being present in respective amounts of at least 100 p.p.m. for chromium and 40 p.p.m. for molybdenum, and 0.02 to 0.05% by weight of iron, the percentage by weight of niobium, chromium and molybdenum being between 0.7 to 1.8%, and the remainder of zirconium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
90 words
Zirconium alloys which are characterized by their corrosion resistance and mechanical properties, the alloys consisting of 0.45 to 1.20% by weight of niobium, 0.04 to 0.1% by weight of tin, 0.25 to 0.60% by weight of total chromium and molybdenum, each of said chromium and molybdenum being present in respective amounts of at least 100 p.p.m. for chromium and 40 p.p.m. for molybdenum, and 0.02 to 0.05% by weight of iron, the percentage by weight of niobium, chromium and molybdenum being between 0.7 to 1.8%, and the remainder of zirconium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
114 words
Corrosion resistant nuclear reactor components manufactured from zirconium-base alloys containing minor amounts of niobium, tin, chromium and molybdenum, said minor amounts being within the range of 0.025 to 1.50% by weight of niobium, 0.025 to 0.020% by weight of tin, and 0.02 to 1.00% by weight of total chromium and molybdenum, each of said chromium and molybdenum being present in respective amounts of 100 p.p.m. for chromium and 40 p.p.m. for molybdenum; said reactor components being formed by cold shaping said alloys and then annealing for less than four hours at temperatures less than 700° C. without subsequent quenching or forced cooling, essentially without loss of corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of said alloys.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
114 words
Corrosion resistant nuclear reactor components manufactured from zirconium-base alloys containing minor amounts of niobium, tin, chromium and molybdenum, said minor amounts being within the range of 0.025 to 1.50% by weight of niobium, 0.025 to 0.020% by weight of tin, and 0.02 to 1.00% by weight of total chromium and molybdenum, each of said chromium and molybdenum being present in respective amounts of 100 p.p.m. for chromium and 40 p.p.m. for molybdenum; said reactor components being formed by cold shaping said alloys and then annealing for less than four hours at temperatures less than 700° C. without subsequent quenching or forced cooling, essentially without loss of corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of said alloys.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
127 words
Corrosion resistant nuclear reactor components manufactured from zirconium-base alloys containing minor amounts of niobium, tin, iron, chromium and molybdenum, each of said chromium and molybdenum being present in respective amounts of at least 100 p.p.m. for chromium and 40 p.p.m. for molybdenum, said minor amounts being within the ranges 0.45 to 1.20% by weight of niobium, 0.04 to 0.1% by weight of tin, 0.25 to 0.60% by weight of iron, the combined percentage by weight of niobium, chromium and molybdenum being between 0.7 to 1.8; said reactor components being formed by cold shaping said alloys and then annealing for less than four hours at temperatures less than 700° C. without subsequent quenching or forced cooling, essentially without loss of corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of said alloys.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
127 words
Corrosion resistant nuclear reactor components manufactured from zirconium-base alloys containing minor amounts of niobium, tin, iron, chromium and molybdenum, each of said chromium and molybdenum being present in respective amounts of at least 100 p.p.m. for chromium and 40 p.p.m. for molybdenum, said minor amounts being within the ranges 0.45 to 1.20% by weight of niobium, 0.04 to 0.1% by weight of tin, 0.25 to 0.60% by weight of iron, the combined percentage by weight of niobium, chromium and molybdenum being between 0.7 to 1.8; said reactor components being formed by cold shaping said alloys and then annealing for less than four hours at temperatures less than 700° C. without subsequent quenching or forced cooling, essentially without loss of corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of said alloys.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for simplified manufacture of corrosion resistant nuclear reactor components of zirconium-base alloys containing minor amounts of niobium, tin and at least one element of the group of elements consisting of chromium and molybdenum, said method including the following steps: (a) selecting said minor amounts within the ranges of 0.25 to 1.50% by weight of niobium, 0.025 to 0.20% by weight of tin and 0.02 to 1.00% by weight of chromium and molybdenum, said chromium being present in an amount of at least 100 p.p.m and said molybdenum being present in an amount of at least 40 p.p.m, (b) cold shaping said alloys, and (c) thermally treating said alloys, said thermal treatment consisting of annealing for less than four hours at temperatures less than 700° C. without subsequent quenching or forced cooling, essentially without loss of corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of said alloys.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for simplified manufacture of corrosion resistant nuclear reactor components of zirconium-base alloys containing minor amounts of niobium, tin and at least one element of the group of elements consisting of chromium and molybdenum, said method including the following steps: (a) selecting said minor amounts within the ranges of 0.25 to 1.50% by weight of niobium, 0.025 to 0.20% by weight of tin and 0.02 to 1.00% by weight of chromium and molybdenum, said chromium being present in an amount of at least 100 p.p.m and said molybdenum being present in an amount of at least 40 p.p.m, (b) cold shaping said alloys, and (c) thermally treating said alloys, said thermal treatment consisting of annealing for less than four hours at temperatures less than 700° C. without subsequent quenching or forced cooling, essentially without loss of corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of said alloys.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for simplified manufacture of corrosion resistant nuclear reactor components of zirconium-base alloys containing minor amounts of niobium, tin, iron and at least one element of the group of elements consisting of chromium and molybdenum, said method comprising the following steps: (a) selecting said minor amounts within the ranges of 0.45 to 1.20% by weight of niobium, 0.04 to 0.1% by weight of tin, 0.25 to 0.60% by weight of iron, the combined percentage by weight of niobium, said chromium being present in an amount of at least 100 p.p.m and said molybdenum being present in an amount of at least 40 p.p.m, chromium and molybdenum being between 0.7 and 1.8, (b) cold shaping said alloys, and (c) thermally treating said alloys, said thermal treatment consisting of annealing for less than four hours at temperatures less than 700° C. without subsequent quenching or forced cooling, essentially without loss of corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of said alloys.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for simplified manufacture of corrosion resistant nuclear reactor components of zirconium-base alloys containing minor amounts of niobium, tin, iron and at least one element of the group of elements consisting of chromium and molybdenum, said method comprising the following steps: (a) selecting said minor amounts within the ranges of 0.45 to 1.20% by weight of niobium, 0.04 to 0.1% by weight of tin, 0.25 to 0.60% by weight of iron, the combined percentage by weight of niobium, said chromium being present in an amount of at least 100 p.p.m and said molybdenum being present in an amount of at least 40 p.p.m, chromium and molybdenum being between 0.7 and 1.8, (b) cold shaping said alloys, and (c) thermally treating said alloys, said thermal treatment consisting of annealing for less than four hours at temperatures less than 700° C. without subsequent quenching or forced cooling, essentially without loss of corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of said alloys.
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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) | 1983-07-15 | 1984-01-14 | 1984-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-07-15 | 1988-01-14 | 1988-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-07-15 | 1992-01-14 | 1992-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |