Fuel rod identifying label

The identifying label of the present invention is formed with a thin strip-like material comprising nickel, or titanium series shape memory alloy. The label is provided with a shape memory so as to form a circular shape in close contact with the outer circumference of a fuel rod at a normal temperature of about 20 degC. Then, it is designed such that the label is radially expanded and detached from the fuel rod when cooled to a temperature lower than the transformation point. Thus, no adhesives remain at the outer circumference of a fuel rod after detaching label as usual and the label can easily be attached to and detached from the outer circumference of the rod by adjusting the cooling temperature. Accordingly, the attaching and detaching operation can be automated. Further, if a paper label or the like printed with a number is detachably appended to the identifying label, the identifying label can be utilized again. (T.M.)