Digital radiographic testing of circumferential weld seams and plug holes points in PWR nuclear fuel rods

The pressurized water reactor fuel rod is the most commonly used fuel element in nuclear power plants. Its demand is increasing year by year. To improve the efficiency and quality of weld seam and plug hole points detection for pressurized water reactor nuclear fuel rods, digital radiographic testing was conducted. The test results showed that the sensitivity of detection images can reach up to 0.25mm, image resolution can reach up to D11, and normalized signal-to-noise ratio is 122. The images of fuel rod defects were consistent with the results of film and metallographic tests. It was verified that the detection method met the quality evaluation requirements of fuel rods.