Zirconium based alloys having excellent creep resistance

Abstract

The present invention relates to a zirconium based alloy composite having an excellent creep resistance and, more particularly, to a zirconium based alloy composite finally heat-treated to have the degree of recrystallization in the range of 40˜70% in order to improve the creep resistance. The zirconium based alloy comprises 0.8˜1.8 wt. % niobium (Nb); 0.38˜0.50 wt. % tin (Sn); one or more elements selected from 0.1˜0.2 wt. % iron (Fe), 0.05˜0.15 wt. % copper (Cu), and 0.12 wt. % chromium (Cr); 0.10˜0.15 wt. % oxygen (O); 0.006˜0.010 wt. % carbon (C); 0.006˜0.010 wt. % silicon (Si); 0.0005˜0.0020 wt. % sulfur (S); and the balance zirconium (Zr). The zirconium alloy manufactured with the composition in accordance with the present invention has an excellent creep resistance compared to a conventional Zircaloy-4, and may effectively be used as a nuclear cladding tube, supporting lattice and inner structures of reactor core in the nuclear power plant utilizing light or heavy water reactor.

1 . A Zirconium based alloy composite comprising: 0.8˜1.8 wt. % niobium; 0.05˜0.15 wt. % copper; 0.10˜0.15 wt. % oxygen; 0.006˜0.010 wt. % carbon; 0.006˜0.010 wt. % silicon; 0.0005˜0.0020 wt. % sulfur; and the balance zirconium.  
     
     
         2 . A zirconium based alloy composite comprising: 0.8˜1.8 wt. % niobium; 0.38˜0.50 wt. % tin; 0.10˜0.15 wt. % oxygen; 0.006˜0.010 wt. % carbon; 0.006˜0.010 wt. % silicon; 0.0005˜0.0020 wt. % sulfur; and the balance zirconium.  
     
     
         3 . The zirconium based alloy composite of  claim 2 , wherein the composite further includes one or more elements selected from 0.05˜0.2 wt. % iron, 0.05˜0.2 wt. % copper and 0.05˜0.2 wt. % chromium.  
     
     
         4 . The zirconium based alloy composite of  claim 2 , wherein the composite further includes one or more elements selected from 0.1˜0.2 wt. % iron, 0.05˜0.15 wt. % copper and 0.12 wt. % chromium.  
     
     
         5 . The zirconium based alloy composite of  claim 1 , wherein the degree of recrystallization of the zirconium alloy composite is in the range of 40˜70%.  
     
     
         6 . The zirconium based alloy composite of  claim 2 , wherein the degree of recrystallization of the zirconium alloy composite is in the range of 40˜70%.  
     
     
         7 . The zirconium based alloy composite of  claim 3 , wherein the degree of recrystallization of the zirconium alloy composite is in the range of 40˜70%.  
     
     
         8 . The zirconium based alloy composite of  claim 4 , wherein the degree of recrystallization of the zirconium alloy composite is in the range of 40˜70%.