US4814136A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for the control of liner impurities and light water reactor cladding
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1987-10-28
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Granted: 1989-03-21
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Expires: 2007-10-28
Abstract
Abstract This is a process for producing material for lining reactor fuel element claddings. Rather than using unalloyed zirconium, this invention provides for an alloy liner for the cladding. The process uses electron beam melting of zirconium, to give very low metallic impurities to reduce solid solution strengthening and second phase formation and property variability from lot to lot, while using alloying to reduce the susceptibility to steam corrosion. Preferably, oxygen is controlled to a low level as well, to provide a low, but fabricable, hardness in the alloyed liner material.
Inventors
- 👤 George P. Sabol
- 👤 Samuel A. Worcester
- 👤 John P. Foster
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:21
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/02; G21C3/04; G21C3/06; G21C3/07; C; C22; C22C; C22C16/00; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
In a process for making an electron beam melted fuel element liner material from sponge zirconium, the improved process comprising: a. electron beam melting sponge zirconium to form an essentially aluminum-free zirconium material; and b. melting said essentially aluminum-free zirconium material in a vacuum arc furnace with an alloying charge, said alloying charge comprising 0.1-2.0 weight percent of at least one alloying element selected from the group consisting of tin and iron, to form an essentially aluminum-free zirconium alloy fuel element liner material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
In a process for making an electron beam melted fuel element liner material from sponge zirconium, the improved process comprising: a. electron beam melting sponge zirconium to form an essentially aluminum-free zirconium material; and b. melting said essentially aluminum-free zirconium material in a vacuum arc furnace with an alloying charge, said alloying charge comprising 0.1-2.0 weight percent of at least one alloying element selected from the group consisting of tin and iron, to form an essentially aluminum-free zirconium alloy fuel element liner material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said alloying charge also contains 0.02-1.0 weight percent of at least one additional alloying element, said additional alloying element being selected from the group consisting of niobium, chromium, molybdenum, copper, and combinations thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 2, wherein said additional alloying element is selected from the group consisting of niobium and chromium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
87 words
A process for making an electron beam melted fuel element liner material from sponge zirconium, said process comprising: a. electron beam melting sponge zirconium to form an essentially aluminum-free zirconium material; and b. alloying said electron beam melted zirconium in a vacuum arc furnace with 0.1-2.0 weight percent of an alloying element selected from the group consisting of tin and iron, and 0.02-1.0 weight percent of at least one additional alloying element, said additional alloying element being selected from the group consisting of niobium, chromium, and molybdenum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
A process for making an electron beam melted fuel element liner material from sponge zirconium, said process comprising: a. electron beam melting sponge zirconium to form an essentially aluminum-free zirconium material; and b. alloying said electron beam melted zirconium in a vacuum arc furnace with 0.1-2.0 weight percent of an alloying element selected from the group consisting of tin and iron, and 0.02-1.0 weight percent of at least one additional alloying element, said additional alloying element being selected from the group consisting of niobium, chromium, and molybdenum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 4, wherein said additional alloying element is niobium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
A process for making an electron beam melted fuel element liner material from sponge zirconium, said process comprising: a. electron beam melting sponge zirconium to form an electron beam melted zirconium material containing less than 400 ppm oxygen, and less than 5 ppm aluminum; and b. alloying said electron beam melted zirconium in a vacuum arc furnace with an alloying charge comprising 0.1-0.6 weight percent of tin and 0.03-0.30 weight percent iron.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
A process for making an electron beam melted fuel element liner material from sponge zirconium, said process comprising: a. electron beam melting sponge zirconium to form an electron beam melted zirconium material containing less than 400 ppm oxygen, and less than 5 ppm aluminum; and b. alloying said electron beam melted zirconium in a vacuum arc furnace with an alloying charge comprising 0.1-0.6 weight percent of tin and 0.03-0.30 weight percent iron.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process of claim 6, wherein said alloy is done with 0.02-1.0 weight percent of at least one additional alloying element, said additional alloying element being selected from the group consisting of niobium, chromium, and molybdenum.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 7, wherein said additional alloying element is niobium.
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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) | 1992-03-20 | 1992-09-19 | 1993-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-03-20 | 1996-09-19 | 1997-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-03-20 | 2000-09-19 | 2001-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |