Effect of some nuclear fuel rod parameters on mechanical decladding by roller-straightener technique

The effect of some fuel rod parameters on the amount of radial deformation in the clad obtained by the roller-straightener technique was investigated on dummy fuel rods. The amount of radial deformation Δr was found to be largely dependent on clad thickness t, outer radius of clad r, and yield strength of the cladding material sigma. The experimental findings were represented in the following form: Δr=Kr3/(sigma)2t where K is a constant having the value of 0.183. This form was in agreement with earlier theoretical predictions. Radial deformation of the clad was explained in terms of theory of plasticity