Abstract: Described herein are alpha zirconium alloy fabrication methods and resultant products exhibiting improved high temperature, high pressure steam corrosion resistance. The process, according to one aspect of this invention, utilizes a high energy beam thermal treatment to provide a layer of beta treated microstructure on an alpha zirconium alloy intermediate product. The treated product is then alpha worked to final size. According to another aspect of the invention, high energy beam thermal treatment is used to produce an alpha annealed microstructure in a Zircaloy alloy intermediate size or final size component. The resultant products are suitable for use in pressurized water and boiling water reactors.

Abstract: A system for the casting of metal comprising a filter through which the metal passes during pouring into a mold cavity. The filter is formed by providing a multiplicity of substantially spherical refractory particles. A ceramic binder is employed for securing the particles in a bonded assembly, the binder substantially completely coating the particles. Openings are defined between the adjoining coated particles to permit the flow of molten metal through the filter. The binder is of a type having an affinity for dross and slag constituents in the molten metal whereby the constituents are removed during passage of the metal through the filter. The refractory particles are preferably bonded into an assembly by processing which includes coating the particles with the binder material, introducing the coated particles into a mold and drying and firing the coated particles in the mold to achieve the desired bonded relationship.