Patent ID: 6126762
Filing Date: 2000-10-03
Classification: C22F

Abstract:
A method of increasing resistance of a surface of zirconium alloy tubing to nodular corrosion, comprising:i) heating said surface of said tubing to a temperature within a temperature range bounded at its lower limit by a temperature T.sub.c, namely the temperature which at equilibrium conditions sufficient solute would exist in .alpha.-matrices of said zirconium alloy to resist nodular corrosion, and bounded at its upper limit by a temperature of the (.alpha.+.beta.+precipitate)/(.alpha.+.beta.) transus inherent for the particular zirconium alloy;ii) maintaining the temperature of said surface within said temperature range for a period of time of greater than 2 seconds; andiii) subsequently causing said temperature of said surface to be reduced at a rate sufficiently rapid to prevent substantial loss of solute concentration from said .alpha.-matrices.