FUSED BERYLLIUM-ZIRCONIUM BRAZING PROCESS

摘要

A process for brazing zirconium alloy elements to zirconium alloy nuclear fuel sheaths is taught. The process includes applying an initi al layer of beryllium to the surface of the element and heating the element to form a fused beryllium-zirconium alloy layer on the element. The element is then placed on a fuel sheath and once again heated to allow the alloy to flo w to fill the space between the element and the sheath. The initial layer of beryllium can be applied to the element by use of a beryllium containing brazing paste or by vapour deposition. The present invention provides a good braze while avoiding the variable results obtained using previous brazing methods.