METHOD OF PRODUCING A FLAT ZIRCONIUM ALLOY PRODUCT, FLAT PRODUCT THUS OBTAINED AND A NUCLEAR PLANT REACTOR GRID WHICH IS MADE FROM SAID FLAT PRODUCT

摘要

The invention relates to a method of producing a flat zirconium alloy product with a Kearns factor (cross direction) of between 0.3 and 0.7. The inventive method consists in: producing an ingot containing Nb = 0.5 to 3.5 %, Sn = 0 to 1.5 %, Fe = 0 to 0.5 %, Cr + V = 0 to 0.3 %, S = 0 to 100ppm, O = 0 to 2000ppm, Si = 0 to 150ppm, the remainder being zirconium and impurities; shaping the aforementioned ingot; performing one or more hot rolling operations in order to obtain a flat product, whereby the last operation is performed at between (810-20xNb%) °C and 1100 °C and is not followed by any quenching from phase a + ß or ß; optionally performing an annealing operation at a maximum of 800 °C; and performing one or more cold rolling and annealing operations, said annealing operations being performed at a maximum of 800 °C. The invention also relates to the flat zirconium alloy product thus obtained. The invention further relates to a support grid for fuel rods in a nuclear plant reactor, which is obtained by shaping the flat product.