Hydride embrittlement in ZIRCALOY-4 plate; Part 2: Interaction between the tensile stress and the hydride morphology

Journal Article · Wed Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1994 · Metallurgical Transactions, A (Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02652294· OSTI ID:7175308

Bai, J B; Prioul, C; Francois, D ^[1]; Ji, N ^[2]; Gilbon, D ^[3]

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1. Ecole Centrale Paris, Chatenay-Malabry (France)
2. ENSAM, Paris (France)
3. C.E.N. Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette (France)

The effect of an applied tensile stress on the hydrides morphology in ZIRCALOY-4 was studied. To this end, the residual stresses around the hydride caused by the hydride precipitation was first evaluated. Considering the disability to predict hydride transformation stresses by ordinary macroscopical mechanical calculation in previous studies, X-ray diffraction (XRD) profile analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations were carried out to quantify the microstructural evolution in hydrided ZIRCALOY-4. The residual microstrains and microstresses in the matrix and around the hydride were thus estimated. The big discrepancy between the results and the existing studies were explained by the major self-accommodation of phase transformation deformation remaining inside the hydrides and the local plastic accommodation of ZIRCALOY-4. In order to study the stress effect on hydride orientation and to estimate the hydride orientation threshold stresses, hydrogen was introduced into the specimens under tensile stress. A quantitative technique was used to evaluate the susceptibility to perpendicular hydride formation under the influence of texture, residual stresses, and externally applied tensile stresses, following an improved approach that had been first developed by Sauthoff and then applied to Zr-H system by Puls. Both analytical and experimental results indicate that the threshold stress for producing perpendicular hydrides varies with the microstructural features, the yield strength, and the residual stresses.

• OSTI ID: 7175308
• Journal Information: Metallurgical Transactions, A (Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science); (United States), Journal Name: Metallurgical Transactions, A (Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science); (United States) Vol. 25:6; ISSN 0360-2133; ISSN MTTABN
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360102 -- Metals & Alloys-- Structure & Phase Studies
360103* -- Metals & Alloys-- Mechanical Properties
ALLOY-ZR98SN-4
ALLOYS
CHROMIUM ADDITIONS
CHROMIUM ALLOYS
CORROSION RESISTANT ALLOYS
DATA
EMBRITTLEMENT
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
HEAT RESISTANT MATERIALS
HEAT RESISTING ALLOYS
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT
INFORMATION
IRON ADDITIONS
IRON ALLOYS
MATERIALS
MICROSTRUCTURE
MORPHOLOGY
NUMERICAL DATA
REACTOR MATERIALS
TIN ALLOYS
ZIRCALOY
ZIRCALOY 4
ZIRCONIUM ALLOYS
ZIRCONIUM BASE ALLOYS