Method of cutting nuclear reactor fuel element for disposal

The claim consists in that the tube is provided with notches at the level of the requested cutting plane and cooled down below the transient notch toughness temperature of the applied steel. The tube is then exposed to shock bending stress normal to the tube axis with the maximum of stress at the notch point. A divided trough forming a liquid sodium container is clamped at the notch point to the tube. Sodium is replenished during cooling down the tube to a temperature below -80 degC. Following deep cooling of the tube wall a pneumatic facility ram strikes the tube at the notch, normal to the tube axis. This causes shock stress in the tube which cuts the tube at the notch point. The advantage consists in that the pipe is cut without loss, in the ease of cutting and in the low cost of the facility. (J.B.). 3 figs