Patent · US Expired

Process for improving the heat resistance of zirconium and its alloys

US4108687A · kind A · utility

12Cited by
7References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 2, 1976
Grant dateAug 22, 1978
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 2, 1996

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S376/90
  • WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method for treating zirconium and zirconium alloys, in particular the zirconium alloys used in nuclear reactors which are water cooled, as a structural or casing material for fuels. The method consists in dissolving or maintaining a solid solution of the majority of carbon contained in these alloys by thermal or thermo-mechanical treatments carried out in the .alpha. + .beta. range or if necessary in the .beta. range followed by a rolling in .alpha. phase if necessary. The products obtained have a highly improved mechanical resistance under heat, in particular with regard to resistance to creep; they are particularly suitable for constructing casing tubes for fuels in water cooled nuclear reactors having a better resistance to distortion in relation to time.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.