Patent attributes
The invention relates to zirconium-based alloys and methods for manufacturing thereof and may be used in nuclear power engineering. The invention, as claimed, solves the task of obtaining a zirconium-based alloy used for manufacturing fuel rods for the nuclear reactor core, which possess improved engineering and operational properties. The said zirconium-based alloy contains its components in the following weight percent ratio: niobium—0.9-1.1, oxygen—0.05-0.09, zirconium—the rest, and has the structure consisting of alpha-zirconium with oxygen irregularity zones not exceeding 30 nanometers, zirconium sub-oxide of non-stoichiometric composition, and beta-niobium. The inventive method of manufacturing the said alloy includes making stock of zirconium-containing material and niobium pentoxide as oxygen-containing and niobium-containing materials, stock treatment and manufacturing an ingot having the above composition.
