US 12,278,017 B2
Silicon carbide reinforced zirconium based cladding
Edward J. Lahoda, Edgewood, PA (US)
Assigned to Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, Cranberry Township, PA (US)
Filed by Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, Cranberry Township, PA (US)
Filed on Jun. 29, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/809,703.
Application 17/809,703 is a division of application No. 16/502,235, filed on Jul. 3, 2019, granted, now 11,404,175.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/698,326, filed on Jul. 16, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0095751 A1, Mar. 30, 2023
Int. Cl. G21C 3/07 (2006.01); C23C 4/06 (2016.01); C23C 4/11 (2016.01); C23C 14/08 (2006.01); C23C 14/18 (2006.01); C23C 24/04 (2006.01); D04C 1/02 (2006.01); D04C 1/06 (2006.01); G21C 3/04 (2006.01)
CPC G21C 3/07 (2013.01) [C23C 4/06 (2013.01); C23C 4/11 (2016.01); C23C 14/083 (2013.01); C23C 14/18 (2013.01); C23C 24/04 (2013.01); D04C 1/02 (2013.01); D04C 1/06 (2013.01); G21C 3/047 (2019.01)] 5 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
5. A nuclear fuel cladding tube comprising:
a zirconium alloy tube having a wall thickness between 100 and 1000 microns;
a structural support member comprised of a SiC braided yarn covering applied directly onto the zirconium alloy tube;
a first coating layer applied to the SiC braided yarn covering, wherein the first coating layer is made of a first material selected from the group consisting of Nb, Nb alloy, Nb oxide, and combinations thereof; and
at least one second coating layer over the first coating layer, wherein the second coating layer is made of a second material selected from the group consisting of Cr, Cr alloys, Cr oxide, and combinations thereof.