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http://dx.doi.org/10.9725/kstle.2014.30.6.343

Development of a Water-soluble Dry Lubricant for Nuclear Fuel Rod Protection  

Chung, Keunwoo (Division of Convergence Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology)
Kim, Young-Wun (Division of Convergence Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology)
Lee, Sangbong (Division of Convergence Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology)
Hong, Jongsung (Dept. of PWR Production, KEPCO Nuclear Fuel Company (KEPCO NF))
Han, Sangjae (Dept. of PWR Production, KEPCO Nuclear Fuel Company (KEPCO NF))
Oh, Myoungho (Dept. of PWR Production, KEPCO Nuclear Fuel Company (KEPCO NF))
Publication Information
Tribology and Lubricants / v.30, no.6, 2014 , pp. 343-349 More about this Journal
Abstract
Currently, in order to resist the scratching of the fuel rod surface while fabricating the fuel assembly of the light-water nuclear reactor, we use a solution of nitrocellulose, an explosive material, as a dry lubricant along with its solvent. However, the demand for developing safe and harmless aqueous alternative materials for environment-conservation and field-worker safety has increased. In this study, we demonstrate the preparation of a novel aqueous resin composite using a formulation of aqueous polymeric resin, alcoholic solvent, and water. Subsequently, we characterize this composite on the basis of hardness, adhesive property, and water solubility using plates similar to the fuel rod material. The insertion test of a fuel rod coated with the YS-3 composite shows load values of $18.8-20.5kg/cm^2$, which is comparable with $18.8-20.5kg/cm^2$ of the nitrocellulose coating agent. In addition, the depth and width of longitudinal scratches caused by the YS-3 composite test are 50% higher than those of the standard. We can develop a harmless and safe aqueous dry lubricant to replace the existing NC products through field testing of 264 pieces of fuel rods, after producing 350 kg of the YS-3 prototype. The scratch test for the rod surface showed that weight of chip of YS-3 prototype was smaller than that of NC before and after solvent treatment, indicating the properties of YS-3 prototype was comparable to the counterpart.
Keywords
nuclear fuel rod protection; nuclear fuel assembly; dry lubricant; nitrocellulose; water-soluble polymer resin; surface scratch;
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