NUCLEAR REACTOR FUEL ELEMENT

摘要

FIELD: nuclear engineering; nuclear reactor fuel elements. ^ SUBSTANCE: proposed nuclear reactor fuel element has nuclear fuel filled can and plugs. The latter are attached to butt-ends of can through welded joint. One of joints is made by resistance-butt welding with plug deepened in can wall so that changed-structure region is formed in plug and can; greatest part extruded from metal-to-dross joint accommodating region with maximal structural changes is disposed on external side of weld to form graded can-to-plug joint. Inner-surface sections of can are supported on internal part of weld by plug surface formed in the course of its displacement. Changed-structure region of can is between butt-end of can and weld. ^ EFFECT: enhanced mechanical strength of structure and corrosion resistance of weld, improved hydraulic characteristics of fuel element. ^ 4 cl, 2 dwg