In reality, only a small amount of zirconium ingots are usually resistant to corrosion, and most of the zirconium ingots are not resistant to corrosion. That is because when zirconium contains a small amount of impurities such as nitrogen, carbon, titanium, aluminum, silicon and other impurities, it will increase the corrosion rate of zirconium in different degrees.

In view of the zircaloy cladding tubes of fuel element are used at least 3 years, while the pressure pipe is used for 30 years, so the zirconium corrosion resistance must meet the using life, only the special zirconium alloy has that corrosion resistance. However, the necessity of zirconium alloys is not only to improve corrosion resistance. Zirconium tube is able to withstand a lot of stress, it is known that the effect of irradiation on the mechanical properties of the zirconium tube is great. It is beneficial to improve the strength and performance, but it is especially harmful to the plastic and ductility.