Patent ID: 6355118
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: C22F

Abstract:
A zirconium alloy tubing that is resistant to axial splitting and nodular corrosion, said zirconium alloy tubing comprising an &agr;-matrix containing a solute, wherein said solute comprises at least one of iron, chromium, and nickel and is present above a critical concentration, said zirconium alloy tubing having been prepared by: heating a surface of said zirconium alloy tubing to a temperature within a temperature range bounded at its lower limit by a temperature Tc at which, under equilibrium conditions, said solute is present in said &agr;-matrix in a concentration greater than said critical concentration, and bounded at its upper limit by a temperature of the (&agr;+&bgr;)/(&agr;+&bgr;+precipitate) transus inherent for the particular zirconium alloy; maintaining the temperature of said surface within said temperature range for a period of time greater than 2 seconds; and subsequently causing said temperature of said surface to be reduced at a rate sufficiently rapid to prevent substantial loss of solute concentration from said &agr;-matrix.