Zirconium-based alloy having a high resistance to corrosion and to hydriding by water and steam and process for the thermomechanical transformation of the alloy
US7364631B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 25, 2005 |
| Grant date | Apr 29, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 6, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The alloy contains, by weight, at least 95% zirconium and from 0.01 to 0.1% sulphur and, optionally, at least one element from the group consisting of the elements tin, iron, chromium, hafnium, niobium, nickel, oxygen and vanadium, the balance of the alloy consisting of inevitable impurities. The sulphur is present in the alloy in the dissolved state, thereby improving the creep strength and in the form of uniformly distributed fine precipitates, thereby improving the corrosion and hydriding resistance. The alloy may be heated by a solution annealing treatment in the β phase followed by a quench or by a soak at a temperature below 950° C. in order to transform it into the α or α+β phase.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.