Abstract: The alloy has a base composition similar to that of a zirconium alloy of known type used for the manufacture of an element intended for use in the core of a nuclear reactor, such as a cladding tube, a guide tube, or another structural element of a fuel assembly. In addition, the alloy contains sulphur in a proportion by weight of between 8 and 100 ppm and preferably between 8 and 30 ppm.

Abstract: A process for the fabrication of zirconium alloy sheet specifically intended for the manufacture of structural elements for boiling water reactors, which includes the following steps:a) producing in a vacuum an ingot having the composition of the desired alloy;b) forging and hot rolling the ingot;c) quenching of the blank thus obtained after reheating in the beta range;d) hot rolling after heating;e) heat treatment in the alpha range;f) at least one cycle of cold rolling followed by a heat treating in the alpha range; andg) final cold rolling followed by subcritical annealing in the alpha range;where the hot rolling of the sheet after quenching from the beta range is carried out in an initial direction, then in a direction perpendicular to the initial direction.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the production of a tubular zircaloy 2 blank which is internally clad with zirconium for use in producing composite cladding tubes for nuclear fuel. The internal zirconium cladding is rendered suitable for ultrasound monitoring of its thickness by an appropriate thermomechanical treatment which takes place during one or more of the production steps for said blank. The aim is to adjust the grain size to an ASTM index of between 9 and 12 for the zircaloy 2 and between 6 and 10 for the unalloyed zirconium, retaining a grain size difference between the zircaloy 2 and the unalloyed zirconium of at least 2 ASTM index numbers.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic process for testing, by immersion, the soundness of a metal piece (26) using at least one transducer (21) emitting ultrasonic waves focused in the piece (26). There are a plurality of transducers (21) used. Each of the transducers having in the tested piece (26) a focal spot at -6 dB, the section of which, perpendicular to the axis of propagation of the waves is less than 40 mm2. The focal spots of the transducers (21) being distributed depending on the depth to be tested of the piece (26). Additionally, the invention describes a process to guarantee the soundness of the interior of a piece (26), in particular a bar made of a titanium alloy (26) of a diameter of between about 50 and 400 mm for use in aeronautics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for the pumping and metering of liquid products, wherein the melting point is between 200.degree. and 350.degree. C. In the process, a pulsation generator with piston and diaphragm displaces a thermal fluid which actuates a pumping apparatus, and the fluid transmits its pulsations to a molten tin alloy or tin bath contained in a siphon, the bath in turn transmitting the pulsations to part of the liquid product to be displaced and which is contained in a conduit connecting the siphon to a diaphragm-free pumping head, between the suction valve and delivery valve of the said pumping head, which makes the latter operate in suction and delivery with respect to the same product between suction pipe and delivery pipe. The process and apparatus are particularly applicable to the pumping of melted salts with a melting point between 200.degree. and 350.degree. C. at temperatures between 210.degree. and 380.degree. C.