Investigation of the Laser Welded Specimens of Zircaloy-4 Spacer Grids for PWR Fuel Assembly

경수로 연료용 지르칼로이-4 지지격자의 레이저용접부 조사

The weld quality of spacer grids in Pressurized Water Reactors(PWR) fuel is extremely important for the fuel assembly performance in the nuclear renter. The spacer grid welds are currently evaluated mainly by the metallographic examination although it reveals only cross-points which are welded by the laser beam. This experiment is also to compare the weldability of Zircaloy-4 spacer grids using by the GTA and laser beam. The effect of node geometries of spacer grids for GTAW and LBW has been studied and optimum conditions of spacer grid welding have been found. Microstructures and micro-hardness of GTA and laser beam welded zones have been also compared.