Published September 25, 1984 | Version v1
Patent

Nuclear fuel element having a composite coating

Description

A nuclear fuel element consisting of a zirconium or zirconium alloy container and nuclear fuel pellets is provided for use in the core of a nuclear reactor. The zirconium or zirconium alloy container has an inner coating of copper in proximity to the nuclear fuel, and is separated from the zirconium or zirconium alloy by an intermediate zirconium oxide diffusion barrier layer. The copper layer and the intermediate zirconium oxide diffusion barrier of the composite cladding reduce perforations or failure in the zirconium or zirconium alloy cladding substrate caused by stress corrosion cracking or metal embrittlement. Good bonding of the copper to the oxide zirconium and zirconium alloy prevents scaling of copper from the composite cladding during the loading of the fuel element with fuel pellets

Availability note (English)

U.S. Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D.C. 20231, USA, $.50.

Additional details

Publishing Information

Imprint Pagination
v p.
IPC:
Int. Cl. C23C 11/00.
IPC
Int. Cl. C23C 11/00.
Patent number
US patent document 4,473,410/A/

Optional Information

Notes
PAT-APPL-308215.