WASET
	%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