Abstract: The fuel rod comprises a sheath having an inner tubular layer and an outer surface layer composed of zirconium alloys which differ from each other. The surface layer, whose thickness is between 10 to 25% of the total thickness of the wall of the sheath, is constituted by a zirconium-base alloy containing by weight 0.35 to 0.65% tin, 0.20 to 0.65% iron, 0.09 to 0.16% oxygen and niobium in a proportion of 0.35 to 0.65% or vanadium in a proportion of 0.25 to 0.35%. The inner layer may be constituted by an alloy such as Zircaloy 4 or a zirconium-niobium alloy.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 22, 1990
Date of Patent:
June 11, 1991
Assignees:
Framatome, Cogema, Compagnie Europeenne du Zirconium dite Cezus, Societe en Nom Collectif Zircotube
Inventors:
Jean-Paul Mardon, Daniel Charquet, Marc Perez, Jean Senevat