%0 Journal Article %A R. O. Santos and L. P. Moreira and M. C. Cardoso %D 2015 %J International Journal of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering %B World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology %I Open Science Index 105, 2015 %T Finite Element Analysis of the Blanking and Stamping Processes of Nuclear Fuel Spacer Grids %U https://publications.waset.org/pdf/10002147 %V 105 %X Spacer grid assembly supporting the nuclear fuel rods is an important concern in the design of structural components of a Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR). The spacer grid is composed by springs and dimples which are formed from a strip sheet by means of blanking and stamping processes. In this paper, the blanking process and tooling parameters are evaluated by means of a 2D plane-strain finite element model in order to evaluate the punch load and quality of the sheared edges of Inconel 718 strips used for nuclear spacer grids. A 3D finite element model is also proposed to predict the tooling loads resulting from the stamping process of a preformed Inconel 718 strip and to analyse the residual stress effects upon the spring and dimple design geometries of a nuclear spacer grid. %P 1096 - 1104