Nuclear fuel rod

Purpose: To manufacture a fuel rod using a zirconium-lined fuel can capable of effectively preventing the outer surface corrosion of the fuel can. Constitution: In a nuclear fuel rod comprising a zirconium-lined fuel can, corrosion resistant protective membranes are formed only at the outer surface of the fuel can. That is, after pickling or water cleaning, both ends of the fuel can are closed or the upper end plug is welded and the inside is tightly sealed. Then, protective membranes are formed only at the outer surface of the fuel can by means of an ion plating. In the ion plating, glow discharge is caused in an argon atmosphere thereby inonizing and exciting evaporated molecules or atoms and then they are caused to reach and coagulate on the surface of the substrate. It is possible to form a coating as thin as several microns of good homogenity with neither pin holes nor blisters in which membranes are dense and have excellent close bondability with the substrate. Al Zn, Cr, Ti is used for the corrosion resistant protective membranes. (Kamimura, M.)