Mechanical Testing of Alternative Brazing Materials for CANDU® Fuel Bundles

Abstract

Currently, a beryllium brazing alloy is used to connect appendages to CANDU® fuel bundle elements. However, because of a possible reduction of the occupational limit on airborne beryllium particulates, several alternative materials have been proposed. Appendages brazed using alternative materials must be tested thoroughly to ensure stability under the forces typically encountered during a refuelling operation. Consequently, an impact testing method was developed at the Royal Military College of Canada to compare the impact strengths of bearing pad joints brazed with beryllium and alternative materials.