CO/sub 2/ laser beam weldability of Zircaloy 2

BWR (boiling water reactor) fuel rods are manufactured by stacking pellets into a zirconium alloy, cladding tube-zircaloy 2(Zr2). A fuel rod is designed as a pressure vessel in order to prevent failure of the cladding and release of radioactive fission products. As a result, there are very strict requirements from the welding methods employed. The usual welding methods for Zr2 are based on the tungsten inert gas (GTAW) resistance welding (RW) and electron beam welding (EBW) processes. There is very little information about laser beam welding (LBW) of Zr2. The recent development of multikilowatt laser systems has led to dramatic improvements in their welding performance. In the present work, laser beam welding of Zr2 was investigated. A comparison with GTA welding was carried out. The use of a high-power laser beam to weld nuclear fuel containers made of zircaloy has many advantages: (1) The high-power density of the focused laser beam enables very high welding speeds in comparison with arc welding. As a result, a narrow heat-affected zone is produced and the distortion of the parts is reduced to a minimum. (2) The beam can be transmitted to different stations alternatively, even to ones located far from one another. It also transmits to hot cells, glove boxes or any inert gas pressure chamber through suitable windows. (3) The process can easily be automated to enhance mass production. It is very simple, does not require skilled welders, and does not need the use of different electrodes, collets, etc. (4) The laser beam does not contaminate the weld metal with tungsten or other elements