TOMSK, Mar 6 – RIA Tomsk. Scientists of Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU) improved the zirconium alloy, from which the fuel element shells for nuclear reactors are made. This made it more durable; for this purpose scientists proposed to incorporate titanium ions into the alloy, the press service of TPU reported on Tuesday.
It is explained that fuel element – is a key part of the nuclear reactor: the rods inside which the separation of heavy nuclei of uranium or pluton with the release of heat are take place. The material for production of fuel elements – is zirconium alloy. In operating time in fuel elements and from water of the reactor hydrogen is emitted, the accumulation of which leads to loss of plasticity and corrosion of the alloy, which reduces the operating time of zirconium products.
"The scientists of TPU improved the zirconium alloy from which fuel element shells are made ... For this purpose scientists proposed to incorporate titanium ions into the alloy. The surface of the alloy, modified in this way, becomes one and a half times more durable. The results of the study are published in Applied Surface Science magazine", – is said in the statement.
The unique implantation technology by means of high-intensity ion beams to improve the surface of zirconium alloys was developed at TPU under the guidance of Professor Alexander Ryabchikov with the support of the Russian Science Foundation (RPF) grant. The technology is currently ready for mass production use, the press service notes."The introduction of titanium ions into a depth of more than 10 micrometers (0.01 millimeter) increased the hardness and wear resistance of the zirconium alloy. To achieve this, a stream of ions generated from plasma of vacuum and was focused into a small spot ... This technology increased hardness and wear resistance of alloy, respectively, in 1.5 and 1.4 times", – the press service quotes the co-author of the research Egor Kashkarov.