Patent Number: 049903055
Section: abstract

A method of producing enhanced radial texture in zirconium alloy tubing suitable for use in forming cladding for nuclear fuel rods is provided. The tubing production method described herein employs a combination of mechanical expansion and heat treatment steps in the final stage of tubing formation to produce a single peak radial texture in the tubing, thereby imparting enhanced resistance to pellet-cladding-interaction to the finished tubing. The tubing is preferably processed to a diameter within less than about 10 to 20% of the desired final diameter, annealed, and expanded less than about 10 to 20% to the desired final diameter, thereby producing a unique radial texture in the finished tubing. In an alternative method, the finally expanded tubing is subjected to a final recrystallization anneal to produce a significantly enhanced split radial texture.