CLADDING TUBES MADE OF FERRITIC/MARTENSITIC OR AUSTENITIC STEEL FOR NUCLEAR FUEL ELEMENTS/FUELS AND METHOD FOR SUBSEQUENTLY TREATING A FECRA PROTECTIVE LAYER THEREON THAT IS SUITED FOR HIGH TEMPERATURES

摘要

A cladding tube configured for use with nuclear fuels or nuclear feel elements and configured for contact with molten lead or molten lead alloys at up to 800° C. The cladding tube includes a tube including at least one of ferritic/martenisitic steel and austenitic steel. An alloy layer of up to 50μm thickness is disposed on a surface of the tube and operable for corrosion resistance. The alloy layer includes 0-25% chromium, 3-15% aluminum and 60-97% iron. A method of making the cladding tube includes the use of a pulsed electron beam to melt the alloy layer on the tube.