The processes of producing reactor-grade hafnium are investigated. It is shown that the electron beam melting method is effective for purification of hafnium from metallic impurities. The use of deoxidizing additives makes it possible to purify hafnium from oxygen, and carrying out a vacuum-thermal treatment of the initial charge provides the necessary nitrogen content

This paper presents experimental data of the study of the influence of iron microadditives on the evolution of the structure of the Zr-1%Nb alloy and its corrosion properties with increasing iron content. It is shown that small additions of iron to the Zr-1%Nb alloy lead to a change in its structure due to the appearance of Laves phase precipitates. Additional micro alloying with iron makes a significant contribution to the corrosion resistance of Zr-1%Nb alloys in reactor water. The optimal amount of iron has been determined, which will lead to an increase in the corrosion resistance of the Zr-1%Nb alloy under the operating conditions of the nuclear reactor WWER-1000.

This paper presents experimental data of the study of the influence of Fe alloying on the changes of the structure of the Zr-1%Nb alloy and evolution of the structure of this alloy under ion irradiation. It is shown that small additions of Fe to the Zr-1%Nb alloy lead to the change its structure due to the formation of Laves phase precipitates. Influence of ions Ar2+ irradiation on parameters of dislocation loops in alloy Zr1%Nb with Fe content 0.012…0.192 wt.% is studied by methods of transmission electron microscopy. Irradiations was carried out by Ar2+ ions (accelerator ESU-2) with energy 1.4 MeV, at temperature T = 390 °C. Dependence of density and size of dislocations on Fe content and on irradiation dose are obtained.

The refining processes of iron and nickel from metal and gas impurities by physical methods in vacuum are considered. The effectiveness of using electron-beam melting for purification of these metals is shown. Iron and nickel in a purity of more than 99.98 and 99.994 wt.% respectively have been produced.

This paper describes results of study processing of substandard materials and waste of magnesium-thermal production of spongy zirconium to determine the optimal methods of zirconium recycling. The optimal methods of processing that will allow reuse of substandard materials and waste in the process of magnesium-thermal production of sponge zirconium with the content of impurities at the level of world standards are determined.