Evaluation of fretting wear occurrence on the surface of nuclear fuel rods of Zr–1Nb–1Sn-0.1Fe alloy: Effects of assembly misalignment and grid spring loading

Abstract

A mechanical apparatus was developed to investigate the grid-to-rod fretting on nuclear assembly of Zr–1Nb–1Sn-0.1Fe alloy. Test apparatus allowed the performing of fretting tests on fuel rods at a frequency to 30 Hz, which was evaluated as the first natural frequency of a fuel rod. In addition, strain-gauges was employed to evaluate the misalignment effect on the mechanical behavior of the testing material. The surface damage intensity decreased from the central part, to the extremity of wear areas. The variation of wear areas revealed that the misalignment promoted premature wear because the intensification of fretting wear occurred by the appearance of complementary efforts. The confocal method suggested that wear residues under dry conditions remained adhered to the fretting surface.