Development of Zircaloy-4 Endplate Welding Technology for a DUPIC Fuel Bundle Assembly

• Published in: Journal of nuclear science and technology Vol. 46; no. 2; pp. 103 - 108
• Main Authors: KIM, Soo-Sung, LEE, Jung-Won, PARK, Geun-Il, KOH, Jin-Hyun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo Taylor & Francis Group 01.02.2009; Atomic Energy Society of Japan
• Subjects: Applied sciences; endcap; endplate; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Fission nuclear power plants; Fuels; hot cell; Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy; laser welding; Nuclear fuels; Preparation and processing of nuclear fuels; remote fabrication; resistance welder; resistance welding; torque strength; Zircaloy-4; remote fabrication; endcap; Zircaloy-4; Welding; hot cell; resistance welder; Nuclear fuel; Fracture; laser welding; Nuclear reactor; Weld; Zircaloy; resistance welding; Laser beam; Fuel assembly; Laser; Manufacturing; Microstructure; torque strength; Strength; endplate; Irradiated nuclear fuel
• ISSN: 0022-3131; 1881-1248
• DOI: 10.1080/18811248.2007.9711512

This study was carried out to establish the remote resistance welding technology for a hot cell environment for D irect U se of spent P WR fuel I n C ANDU reactors (DUPIC) fuel fabrication. A preliminary investigation for a hands-on fuel fabrication outside a hot cell was conducted with consideration of the constraints caused by a welding in a hot cell. The optimum resistance welding parameters for the endplate welding process were obtained in terms of the welding current, electrode pressure, and welding time. The welds made on the basis of optimum welding parameters showed higher torque strength than those made by laser beam welding. The integrity of the welds fabricated by resistance welding was confirmed by the results of the torque test, an examination of the microstructure, and the fracture surface of the welds.