METHOD OF MANUFACTURING TUBES OF ZIRCONIUM ALLOYS WITH IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANCE FOR THERMAL NUCLEAR REACTORS

摘要

The invention relates to a method of making tubes of Zirconium alloys containing 1-5 percent by weight of alloying elements such as Sn, Fe, Cr and Ni. According to the invention an improved corrosion resistance can be reached by means of annealing after extrusion and between cold rollings within a well defined temperature range in the alpha -phase zone during considerably longer times than standardized for the purpose of reaching equilibrium between secondary phase particles and Zirconium matrix and in that way a minimum content of Fe in solid solution.