PURPOSE: To improve corrosion resistance and more particularly the corrosion resistance to nodular corrosion by adding a specific ratio of a vanadium element to a zircaloy-2 (Zry-2).
CONSTITUTION: This Zr alloy is formed by adding 0.2 to 0.5V to the Zr alloy consisting, by weight %, of 1.20 to 1.70 Sn, 0.07 to 0.20 Fe, 0.05 to 0.15 Cr, 0 to 0.08 Ni (where 0.18 to 0.38 total of Fe, Cr, Ni) and the balance Zr. The V can be expected as a martensite hardening element by adding the V to the alloy. The possible reason thereof lies in that the fine particle dispersion of the precipitated matter yields a good result in the corrosion resistance. The above-mentioned effect is not expected if the amt. of the V to be added is ≤0.2%. The adverse influence as an impurity is significant at ≥0.5%. Since this alloy is extremely active, oxygen is liable to infiltrate the alloy at the time of the smelting of the alloy. Since the curing by irradiation is induced if the concn. of the impurity is high, the concn. thereof is preferably suppressed to ≤1000ppm.
KUBO TOSHIO
OGATA KEIZO
SUGAWARA TSUTOMU
