METHOD, USE AND DEVICE CONCERNING CLADDING TUBES FOR NUCLEAR FUEL AND A FUEL ASSEMBLY FOR A NUCLEAR PRESSURE WATER REACTOR

摘要

The invention concerns a method of producing a cladding tube for nuclear fuel for a nuclear pressure water reactor. According to the method, a tube is formed which at least principally consists of a cylindrical tube component (1) of a Zr-based alloy, with a Nb content between 0.5 and 2.4 weight percent. The cladding tube is finally annealed at a temperature and during a time such that said tube component (1) is partly recrystallized but not completely recrystallized. The invention also concerns a cladding tube, a fuel assembly for a pressure water reactor and the use of a cladding tube.