ZIRCONIUM ALLOY NUCLEAR FUEL COATING TUBE HAVING EXCELLENT CORROSION RESISTANCE AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTIC AND FABRICATING METHOD THEREOF

PURPOSE: A zirconium alloy nuclear fuel coating tube having excellent corrosion resistance and a mechanical characteristic and a fabricating method thereof are provided to improve corrosion resistance and the mechanical characteristic by forming a zirconium alloy including components such as Nb, Sn, Fe, Cu, and Cr. CONSTITUTION: A zirconium alloy is formed with Nb of 0.05 to 0.4 weight percent, Sn of 0.3 to 0.7 weight percent, Fe of 0.1 to 0.4 weight percent, Cu of 0.01 to 0.2 weight percent, Si of 80 to 120 ppm, O of 600 to 1400 ppm, and Zr. The amount of Nb+Sn is 0.35 to 1.0 weight percent. In a fabricating process of the zirconium alloy, an ingot is formed by melting the mixture. The ingot is forged in a beta region. A beta-quenching process is performed under temperature of 1015 to 1075 degrees centigrade. A hot-extrusion process is performed under the temperature of 600 to 650 degrees centigrade. A pilgering process is repeatedly performed and an intermediate vacuum annealing process is performed under the temperature of 550 to 640 degrees centigrade. A final annealing process is performed under the temperature of 460 to 540 degrees centigrade.