US4450020A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of manufacturing cladding tubes of a zirconium-based alloy for fuel rods for nuclear reactors
Assignee: Santrade Ltd
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Filing: 1982-10-04
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Granted: 1984-05-22
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Expires: 2002-10-04
Abstract
Abstract In the manufacture of cladding tubes of a zirconium-based alloy for fuel rods for nuclear reactors by extrusion of the zirconium-based alloy and cold rollings of the extruded product with annealings, intermediate annealings, between the cold rollings and a β-quenching of the extruded product prior to the last cold rolling, a cladding tube is provided which has at the same time good corrosion properties and mechanical properties by performing the β-quenching prior to a cold rolling, after which an intermediate annealing is performed at a temperature of 500°-675° C., and preferably at a temperature of 500°-610° C. The zirconium-based alloy is a zirconium-tin alloy comprising 1.2-1.7% tin, 0.07-0.24% iron, 0.05-0.15% chromium and 0-0.08% nickel.
Inventors
- 👤 Gunnar Vesterlund
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:36
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22F; C22F1/00; C22F1/16; C22F1/18; C22F1/186; G; G01; G01L; G01L1/00; G01L1/26; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S376/00; Y10S376/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of manufacturing cladding tubes of a zirconium-based alloy for fuel rods for nuclear reactors, said zirconium-based alloy containing 1.2-1.7 percent by weight tin, 0.07-0.24 percent by weight iron, 0.05-0.15 percent by weight chromium and 0-0.08 percent by weight nickel, the method comprising: (a) extruding the zirconium-based alloy into an extruded product; (b) subjecting the extruded product to a plurality of cold rollings; (c) prior to one of said cold rollings, subjecting the extruded product to β-quenching; (d) after said β-quenching and the associated cold rolling, subjecting the extruded product to an intermediate annealing at a temperature of 500° to 675° C.; (e) subjecting the extruded product to a final cold rolling; and (f) subjecting the extruded product to a final annealing.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of manufacturing cladding tubes of a zirconium-based alloy for fuel rods for nuclear reactors, said zirconium-based alloy containing 1.2-1.7 percent by weight tin, 0.07-0.24 percent by weight iron, 0.05-0.15 percent by weight chromium and 0-0.08 percent by weight nickel, the method comprising: (a) extruding the zirconium-based alloy into an extruded product; (b) subjecting the extruded product to a plurality of cold rollings; (c) prior to one of said cold rollings, subjecting the extruded product to β-quenching; (d) after said β-quenching and the associated cold rolling, subjecting the extruded product to an intermediate annealing at a temperature of 500° to 675° C.; (e) subjecting the extruded product to a final cold rolling; and (f) subjecting the extruded product to a final annealing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate annealing is performed at a temperature of 500°-610° C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the zirconium-based alloy is also β-quenched prior to the extrusion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the extruded product is subjected to a final annealing at a temperature of 400°-675° C. after the last cold rolling.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the extruded product is subjected to a final annealing at a temperature of 400°-675° C. after the last cold rolling.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate annealing is performed at a temperature of 550°-600° C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1 characterized in that the final annealing is conducted at a temperature of 400°-610° C.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1 characterized in that the final annealing is conducted at a temperature of 550°-600° C.
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) | 1987-05-22 | 1987-11-21 | 1988-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-05-22 | 1991-11-21 | 1992-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-05-22 | 1995-11-21 | 1996-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |