Cladding tube for a fuel rod for a nuclear reactor, a fuel rod, and a fuel assembly

Abstract

A cladding tube, a fuel rod and a fuel assembly are disclosed. The cladding tube comprises a tubular base component having an outer surface and an inner surface defining an inner space of the cladding tube housing a pile of fuel pellets. The tubular base component is made of a Zr-based alloy. A coating is applied onto the outer surface for protecting the tubular base component from mechanical wear, oxidation and hydriding. The Zr-based alloy has the following composition: Zr=balance, Al=0-2 wt %, Ti=0-20 wt %, Sn=0-6 wt %, Fe=0-0.4 wt %, Nb=0-0.4 wt %, O=200-1800 wtppm, C=0-200 wtppm, Si=0-200 wtppm, and S=0-200 wtppm. The total amount of Al+Ti+Sn>2.5 wt % and ≤28 wt %.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.