Deformation and rupture behavior of Zircaloy cladding under simulated loss-of-coolant accident conditions

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Am. Soc. Test. Mater., Spec. Tech. Publ.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1520/STP35566S· OSTI ID:6887905

Chung, H M; Garde, A M; Kassner, T F

Information on the diametral expansion and rupture characteristics of Zircaloy-4 cladding has been obtained in a vacuum environment over a wide range of internal pressures at several heating rates. The effect of axial constraint of the cladding, exerted by a mandrel that simulated the pellets in a fuel rod, on the relationship between the maximum circumferential strain and the burst temperature also was investigated. The circumferential strain for unconstrained cladding was significantly larger than for axially constrained tubes, particularly for burst temperatures below approximately 850/sup 0/C, in which cladding remains essentially in the ..cap alpha..-phase. Three superplastic strain peaks have been identified, namely, at rupture temperatures of approximately 850, approximately 1050, and approximately 1220/sup 0/C. In the case of complete axial restraint, the failure strains were not dependent on heating rate for burst temperatures above approximately 920/sup 0/C; however the low-temperature (approximately 850/sup 0/C) strain peak increases and moves to lower temperatures as the heating rate decreases. The deformation data in this investigation also have been used to evaluate instability criteria proposed for thin-wall tubes under a biaxial stress state. The onset of plastic instability or local ballooning in the cladding has been defined in terms of the effective stress and strain during transient-heating conditions.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL
• OSTI ID: 6887905
• Journal Information: Am. Soc. Test. Mater., Spec. Tech. Publ.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Soc. Test. Mater., Spec. Tech. Publ.; (United States) Vol. 633; ISSN ASTTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360103* -- Metals & Alloys-- Mechanical Properties
ALLOYS
DEFORMATION
ELEMENTS
FAILURES
FUEL CANS
HIGH TEMPERATURE
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
METALS
PLASTICITY
RUPTURES
STRAINS
STRESSES
TIN ALLOYS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VERY HIGH TEMPERATURE
ZIRCALOY
ZIRCALOY 4
ZIRCONIUM
ZIRCONIUM ALLOYS
ZIRCONIUM BASE ALLOYS