Behavior and rupture of hydrided Zircaloy-4 tubes and sheets

Journal Article · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1998 · Metallurgical and Materials Transactions. A, Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-998-0087-0· OSTI ID:634645

Prat, F; Besson, J ^[1]; Grange, M ^[2]; Andrieu, E ^[3]

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1. Ecole des Mines de Paris, Evry (France)
2. Framatome Nuclear Fuel, Lyon (France)
3. ENSCT, Toulouse (France). Lab. Materiaux

Zirconium alloys are used as structural parts in the nuclear fuel assembly. The mechanical behavior and rupture mechanisms of ZIRCALOY-4 guide tubes and sheet containing 150 to 1,200 wt ppm hydrogen have been investigated at room temperature. Sheets were notched to study the influence of geometrical defects on rupture. It is shown that hydrides strengthened the material, as maximum stresses sustained by the material are increased with increasing hydrogen contents. On the other hand, ductility is reduced. The material also exhibits a strong anisotropy due to its pronounced texture. Metallographic examinations have shown that damage by hydride cracking is a continuous process that starts after the onset of necking. Notches reduce ductility. A modified Gurson-Tvergaard model was used to represent the material behavior and rupture. Numerical simulation using the finite element method demonstrates the strong influence of plastic anisotropy on the behavior of structures and rupture modes.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 634645
• Journal Information: Metallurgical and Materials Transactions. A, Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science, Journal Name: Metallurgical and Materials Transactions. A, Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 29; ISSN 1073-5623; ISSN MMTAEB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ANISOTROPY
DUCTILITY
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
FUEL ASSEMBLIES
HYDROGEN
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
METALLOGRAPHY
PWR TYPE REACTORS
SIMULATION
STRESSES
ZIRCALOY 4