Zirconium alloy and components for the core of light water-cooled nuclear reactors

Abstract

A zirconium alloy has the following composition in percent by mass: Sn: 0.2-0.5%; Nb: 0.2-0.8%; Fe: 0.05-0.40%; V: 0-0.20%; 0:0.12-0.20%; Si: 80-120 ppm; C:=120 ppm; and a remainder of reactor-pure zirconium and acceptable impurities. The alloy is particularly suitable for components for the core of light water reactors, in particular, for pressurized water reactors.

1 . A zirconium alloy, comprising, in percent by mass: 
 Sn: 0.2-0.5%    Nb: 0.2-0.5%    Fe: 0.05-0.40%    V: 0-0.20%    O: 0.12-0.20%    Si: 80-120 ppm    C: ≦120 ppm    and a remainder of reactor-pure zirconium together with standard impurities.    
     
     
         2 . The alloy according to  claim 1 , wherein a content of vanadium is at least 0.07%.  
     
     
         3 . The alloy according to  claim 1 , wherein a sum of Sn, Nb, Fe, and V contents is at most 1.3%.  
     
     
         4 . A component for the core of a light water reactor, comprising the alloy according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         5 . The component according to  claim 4  configured for use in a pressurized-water reactor.  
     
     
         6 . The component according to  claim 4 , produced maintaining a cumulative annealing parameter of (10-40) E-18 h.