Preparation of Zircaloy standard samples for spectrochemical analysis by using a 120 kW electron beam skull furnace is described. Major elements (Sn, Fe, Ni and Cr) and impurity elements, such as Al, Cu, Ti, Si, Co, B and Hf, were observed before and after the skull casting.
Results of the experiment are summarized in the following:
(1) Three major elements (Sn, Fe and Ni) in Zircaloy can be controlled to within ±10% of the respective predicted preset level, provided each content in the skull being previously controlled to within ±50% of a predetermined value. Chromium showed a low and scattered yield.
(2) Composition analysis of major elements in the upper, middle and lower parts of an ingot showed less than 4% deviation in Sn, 8% in Fe and Ni and 11.1% in Cr from the average contents in the ingot.
(3) Impurity elements of B, Ti, Si, and Al in Zircaloy can be controlled to within ±15% of the preset level. Yields of Cu and Co are less than 20% and widely scattered results are obtained, even if the 120 kW rotated electron beam is used.
(4) Chemical analysis of impurity elements in the upper, middle and lower parts of the ingot showed less than 5.2% deviation in Ti and less than 10% in B, Si, Co, Cu and Al from the average contents of the respective elements.
(5) In skull melting of the alloy, there is an active zone near the surface of the skull which reacts with the molten pool. For the control of the Al or Ti content in Zircaloy the surface layer of the skull up to 5 mm in depth is estimated to be reactive.
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