Development of remote RW technology for fuel multi-pin fabrication

핵연료 멀티핀 제조용 원격 저항용접기술 개발

An analysis of a multi-pin remote welding for a DUPIC fuel fabrication was made to establish the optimum welding processes in a hot cell environment. An initial investigation for hands-on fabrication outside the hot cell was performed, and the constraints of a hot cell welding were considered. Preliminary welding performances to improve the RW process were also examined. The RW process was determined to be the best in a hot cell environment for joining the end plate to the end caps. This paper presents an outline of the developed RW machine for a DUPIC fuel fabrication and compares the characteristics of a Zr-4 end plate welding by using electrical resistance and LB methods. The weld nuggets of RW specimens and torque strengths of resistant and LB welded zones were also investigated.