METHOD OF SEALING NUCLEAR REACTOR FUEL ELEMENTS HAVING A CASING MADE OF HIGH-CHROMIUM STEEL

The invention relates to nuclear power and can be used in manufacturing of fuel elements for nuclear reactors. A method of sealing nuclear reactor fuel elements is proposed comprising welding one end of a casing with a plug, both of high-chromium steel, loading the fuel element with fuel, and welding a second plug to another end of the casing. The casing is of a high-chromium ferrite-martensite steel and the plug is of a high-chromium ferrite steel. Argon arc welding is carried out at a volume ratio of the materials of the casing and the plug contributing to formation of the metal of the weld seam which allows formation of a ferrite phase in said metal, wherein the ratio is: V1/V2>18, where V1 is the volume of ferrite material and V2 is the volume of ferrite-martensite material. Argon arc welding is carried out at a current of 14-20 A, a speed of 12-15 m/h, an arc voltage of 9-10 W and an argon flow rate of 7-8 1/min. This method provides for the desired quality of the welded joins and simplifies the fuel element manufacturing process.