The invention relates to the manufacture of zirconium alloy plates for use in nuclear reactor structural members which, consequently, must retain mechanical properties at high temperatures and chemical resistance to the environment in a nuclear reactor vessel (boron containing water of the primary circuit in a pressurized water reactor).
Zirconium base alloys, particularly those known by the trademark "Zircaloy", are widely used in nuclear reactors. Among those presently widely used is "Zircaloy 4" which comprises--in addition to zirconium--tin, iron and chromium, whereas the nickel content is very low, usually less than 70 ppm. "Zircaloy 4" may also comprise, in addition to inevitable impurities, additive elements, and more particularly carbon which, in the solubilized state in an amount between 80 and 270 ppm, improves the mechanical properties.