ZIRCONIUM ALLOY COMPOSITIONS HAVING EXCELLENT CORROSION RESISTANCE FOR NUCLEAR APPLICATIONS AND PREPARATION METHOD THEREOF

摘要

Zirconium alloy compositions having excellent corrosion resistance are provided to be used as materials of nuclear fuel rods and core structures used in nuclear power plant environments of light water reactors and heavy water reactors with high temperatures and high pressures, and a method for preparing the same is provided. A zirconium alloy composition for nuclear power applications having excellent corrosion resistance comprises 1.3 to 2.0 wt.% of niobium, 0.05 to 0.18 wt.% of iron, 0.008 to 0.012 wt.% of silicon, 0.008 to 0.012 wt.% of carbon, 0.1 to 0.16 wt.% of oxygen, and the balance of zirconium. A zirconium alloy composition for nuclear power applications having excellent corrosion resistance comprises 2.8 to 3.5 wt.% of niobium, 0.2 to 0.7 wt.% of iron, copper, or a mixture of iron and copper, 0.008 to 0.012 wt.% of silicon, 0.008 to 0.012 wt.% of carbon, 0.1 to 0.16 wt.% of oxygen, and the balance of zirconium. A preparation method of a zirconium alloy composition for nuclear power applications having excellent corrosion resistance comprises: a first step of mixing alloy elements and melting the mixture to manufacture an ingot; a second step of heat-treating and cooling the manufactured ingot at a temperature of 1,000 to 1,200 deg.C; a third step of hot rolling the heat-treated and cooled ingot; and a fourth step of subjecting the hot rolled ingot to cold rolling and intermediate heat treatment to manufacture a zirconium alloy.