PURPOSE: To produce a Zr alloy in which surface characteristics, such as corrosion resistance and wear resistance, are improved by implanting element, such as Cr, on the oxide layer free surface of a Zr alloy by means of ion implantation.

CONSTITUTION: One or ≥2 elements selected from Cr, Fe, Sn, Ni, Ti, Hf, C, and N are implanted by means of ion implantation on oxide layer-free surface of a Zr alloy (zircaloy-2, zircaloy-4, etc.) or in the vicinity of the above surface. At this time, the amount (concentration) of the implanted elements is generally about 1013-1021ions/cm2 and the energy of the implanted ions is usually ≥ about several kiloelectron volts, and, by implanting ions while regulating acceleration energy to about several tens - hundreds kiloelectron volts, a concentrated layer of about 0.1μ depth where the concentration of the implanted elements is maximal is formed. By this method, the Zr alloy usable, e.g. for nuclear reactor fuel clad pipe material can be obtained.