A precision grinding technology for zirconium alloy tubes based on ultrasonic wall thickness automatic measurement system

Abstract

To ensure the safety and long-term performance of nuclear fuel cladding zirconium tubes, the wall thickness uniformity of each cross-section is strictly needed. Therefore, this paper developed an automatic ultrasonic wall thickness measurement system for detecting and precision grinding the nuclear zirconium tubes. The overall scheme, key mechanical structures, and design of the control system are determined considering the project background and measuring requirements. Then, a series of performance testing was performed from aspects of measuring accuracy, measuring efficiency, stability, and practicability. The results revealed that it could accurately obtain the wall thickness distribution with high accuracy and efficiency, and subsequently the precision grinding process by automatically generated deviation correcting procedures to achieve the requirement of the wall thickness uniformity and surface quality. The proposed new combination method of ultrasonic auto-measuring and precision grinding proposed in this work would have great significance for the development and application of nuclear reaction zirconium alloy containers.