Highly corrosion resistant less hydrogen absorbing zirconium base alloy and preparation method therefor

In a Zr base alloy comprising from 1.2 to 2.0% of Sn, 0.20 to 0.55% of Fe and 0.03 to 0.30% of Ni and the substantial balance of Zr on the weight basis, the ratio of Fe/Ni is from 1.4 to 8, and the Zr base alloy is preferably a highly corrosion resistant and less hydrogen absorbing Zr base alloy in which a fine intermetallic compound of Sn and Ni is deposited in Zr crystal grains of α phase. Further, incorporation of from 0.05 to 0.15% of Cr improves corrosion resistance. Not less than 1% of Sn is incorporated in order to improve strength and corrosion resistance of the Zr base alloy. If the content exceeds 2%, no remarkable effect can be obtained. Fe is necessary for improving corrosion resistance in high temperature and high pressure water and enhancing hydrogen absorbing performance as well as increasing strength. Ni improves corrosion resistance in high temperature and high pressure water without increasing hydrogen absorbing rate. With such a constitution, a Zr base alloy excellent in corrosion resistance in high temperature and high pressure atmosphere and having less hydrogen absorbing amount can be attained, thereby enabling to attain high burning degree of nuclear fuels. (T.M.)