Effect of hydrogen on the oxygen embrittlement of beta-quenched Zircaloy-4 fuel cladding
Zircaloy cladding embrittlement was evaluated from data derived from the postirradiation examination of 47 light-water reactor type fuel rods irradiated under postulated accident conditions. The Zircaloy-4 cladding showed rapid oxygenation of the/beta/-phase Zircaloy and hydriding in excess of the pretest characterization. Fuel rods operated with a cladding defect were embrittled to a greater extent than intact rods oxidized under similar conditions. A modified background prior/beta/-phase and precipitation of rim-/alpha/was typically observed in the failure region of breached rods. The fracture resistance of breached rods appears to be related to enhanced hydrogen absorption and its influence on both the/alpha/-phase transformation and /alpha/-morphology during rapid (approximately 100 K/s) quenching. refs 5.
- Research Organization:
- EG and G, Idaho Falls, Idaho, USA
- OSTI ID:
- 6317175
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-800834-
- Journal Information:
- Am. Soc. Test. Mater., Spec. Tech. Publ.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Soc. Test. Mater., Spec. Tech. Publ.; (United States); ISSN ASTTA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Power-Cooling-Mismatch Test Series: Test PCM-3 postirradiation examination. [PWR]
On the embrittlement of Zircaloy-4 under RIA-relevant conditions.
Related Subjects
210100 -- Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Boiling Water Cooled
210200 -- Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Nonboiling Water Cooled
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220900* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Reactor Safety
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360103 -- Metals & Alloys-- Mechanical Properties
360106 -- Metals & Alloys-- Radiation Effects
ACCIDENTS
ALLOYS
BWR TYPE REACTORS
ELEMENTS
EMBRITTLEMENT
FUEL CANS
FUEL ELEMENT FAILURE
HARDNESS
HYDROGEN
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MICROHARDNESS
NONMETALS
OXYGEN
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
PWR TYPE REACTORS
QUENCHING
RADIATION EFFECTS
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
REACTORS
SIMULATION
TIN ALLOYS
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS
ZIRCALOY
ZIRCALOY 4
ZIRCONIUM ALLOYS
ZIRCONIUM BASE ALLOYS