METHOD FOR PREPARING ZIRCONIUM ALLOY WITH EXCELLENT LOW HYDROGEN ABSORPTION AND HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT RESISTANCE AND ZIRCONIUM ALLOY COMPOSITION WITH EXCELLENT LOW HYDROGEN ABSORPTION AND HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT RESISTANCE

摘要

The present invention relates to a zirconium alloy composition with excellent low hydrogen absorption and hydrogen embrittlement resistance and a method for preparing the same and, more specifically, to a zirconium alloy composition and a method for preparing the same, the zirconium alloy composition comprising: (1) 1.0 to 1.4 wt% of niobium, 0.1 to 0.3 wt% of scandium, 0.04 to 0.06 wt% of aluminum, 0.1-0.3 wt% of tin, 0.04 to 0.06 wt% of iron and the remainder of zirconium; (2) 1.0 to 1.4 wt% of niobium, 0.1 to 0.3 wt% of scandium, 0.04 to 0.06 wt% of aluminum, 0.04 to 0.08 wt% of copper and the remainder of zirconium; (3) 1.2 to 1.4 wt% of niobium, 0.1 to 0.3 wt% of scandium, 0.04 to 0.06 wt% of aluminum, 0.1-0.2 wt% of chromium and the remainder of zirconium; and (4) 1.2 to 1.4 wt% of niobium, 0.1 to 0.3 wt% of scandium, 0.1 to 0.3 wt% of chromium and the remainder of zirconium. The zirconium alloy composition according to the present invention has excellent low hydrogen absorption and hydrogen embrittlement resistance compared to conventional zircaloy-4 alloys by improving low hydrogen absorption and resistance to hydrogen embrittlement through proper adjustment of the types and amounts of additive elements, heat-treatment temperature, etc. Hydrogen is generated by reaction of water with zirconium due to the characteristics of the operation environment of a nuclear power plant, and penetration of hydrogen into a zirconium alloy leads to hydrogen embrittlement. The zirconium alloy of the present invention has very excellent low hydrogen absorption and hydrogen embrittlement resistance, and thus can be used in nuclear fuel cladding tubes, spacer grids, structures, etc. of a nuclear power plant.