This specification covers vacuum-melted zirconium and zirconium alloy ingots for nuclear application. Materials covered shall be produced by multiple vacuum arc melting, or electron beam melting, or other melting processes conventionally used for reactive metals. Unless otherwise specified, ingots shall be conditioned by machining or grinding or both to remove surface and subsurface defects detrimental to subsequent fabrication. The ingot shall conform to the chemical composition requirements prescribed. The ingots shall be analyzed for the alloying and impurity elements prescribed. Ingots shall be inspected ultrasonically using the prescribed methods. The test shall be conducted in accordance with practice E 114.

1.1 This specification covers vacuum-melted zirconium and zirconium alloy ingots for nuclear application.

1.2 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the specification.

The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test method portions of this specification: This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.