US4279667A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Zirconium alloys having an integral β-quenched corrosion-resistant surface region
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1978-12-22
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Granted: 1981-07-21
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Expires: 1998-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A body composed of a zirconium alloy is afforded enhanced corrosion resistance to a high pressure and high temperature steam environment by an integral surface region of β-quenched zirconium formed in situ by laser beam scanning and afforded good mechanical and structural properties by the underlying bulk region whose metallurgical structure is selected to optimize these mechanical properties.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas R. Anthony
- 👤 Harvey E. Cline
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:51
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22F; C22F1/00; C22F1/16; C22F1/18; C22F1/186; C22F3/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S148/00; Y10S148/902; Y10S148/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
An article of manufacutre comprising a body of zirconium alloy having a composite microstructure including: a core having a first microstructure selected to maximize the physical structure and mechanical properties of said article, and an integral outer surface region encompassing said core to a depth in the range of from about 1.25×10 -2 cm to 1 cm having a second microstructure of β-quenched zirconium alloy to impart enhanced corrosion resistance to said article in a high temperature and high pressure steam environment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
An article of manufacutre comprising a body of zirconium alloy having a composite microstructure including: a core having a first microstructure selected to maximize the physical structure and mechanical properties of said article, and an integral outer surface region encompassing said core to a depth in the range of from about 1.25×10 -2 cm to 1 cm having a second microstructure of β-quenched zirconium alloy to impart enhanced corrosion resistance to said article in a high temperature and high pressure steam environment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The article of claim 1 wherein: the physical structure of the integral outer surface region of the β-quenched zirconium alloy consists of mutually overlapping scallop shaped regions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
the article of claim 1 wherein: said second microstructure of said integral outer surface region is a fine grain, basket-weave α grain structure with a uniform distribution of fine transition metal intermetallics dispersed therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The article of claim 3 wherein: said transition metal is at least one selected from the group of metals consisting of iron, nickel, chromium, vanadium and tantalum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The article of claim 1 wherein: said zirconium alloy is Zircaloy-2 whose composition by element and weight percent is as follows: ______________________________________
Sn 1.2-1.7
Fe 0.07-0.20
Cr 0.05-0.15
Ni 0.03-0.08
Zr Balance
______________________________________
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The article of claim 1 wherein: said zirconium alloy is Zircaloy-4 whose composition by element and weight percent is as follows: ______________________________________
Sn 1.2-1.7
Fe 0.18-0.24
Cr 0.07-0.13
Zr Balance
______________________________________
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The article of claim 1 wherein: said zirconium alloy has a composition of element and weight percent as follows: ______________________________________
Nb 15
X 0-1
Zr Balance
______________________________________ wherein X is at least one transition metal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
The article of claim 3 wherein: said first microstructure of said core consists of an α grain structure larger in size than said basket-weave α grain structure of said integral outer surface region and having fine transition metal intermetallics which are less uniformly distributed therein than in said second microstructure of said integral outer surface region.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-07-20 | 1985-01-19 | 1985-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-07-20 | 1989-01-19 | 1989-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-07-20 | 1993-01-19 | 1993-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |