摘要 |
A method for providing a barrier against copper diffusion into a zirconium alloy tube which is lined with copper for the purpose of increasing the resistance of the tube to stress corrosion induced by fission products when the tube is used to fuel a nuclear reactor. The method involves the deposition of a copper lining on the zirconium alloy tube and the subsequent exposure of the lined tube to a substance such as steam, water, nickel oxide or carbon dioxide or another material which has the ability to oxidize the zirconium without oxidizing the copper. Thus, a zirconium oxide layer is developed between the zirconium alloy tube and the copper lining thereon. |