Abstract: The present invention pertains to zirconium base alloys containing about 0.1 to 0.6 weight percent tin; about 0.07 to 0.24 weight percent iron; about 0.05 to 0.15 weight percent chromium; and up to about 0.05 weight percent nickel. The balance of the alloy is zirconium with incidental impurities. The levels of the incidental impurity, oxygen, is controlled to a level of less than about 350 ppm. These alloys have been designed to minimize the adverse effects of pellet-clad interaction, when they are used as a liner bonded to the inside surface of water reactor nuclear fuel cladding. Specific cladding and fuel element designs according to the present invention are described.