The influence of a hydrided layer on the fracture of Zircaloy-4 cladding tubes

Robert S. Daum, Dowlas W. Bates, Donald A. Koss, Arthur T. Motta

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

During operation of nuclear power reactors, irradiated Zircaloy™-4 cladding tubes contain circumferentially oriented hydrides concentrated in a layer near the outer surface of the cladding. This study has investigated the effect of such a hydride layer or "rim" located near the outer surface of the cladding tube on the failure of unirradiated Zircaloy-4 cladding tubes. Utilizing plane-strain ring-stretch tests with the maximum principal stress along the circumferential or hoop direction, we examined the influence of a hydride rim on the failure of Zircaloy-4 cladding at both room temperature and 300°C. Fracture is found to be sensitive to hydride-rim thickness such that cladding tubes with a hydride-rim thickness >140 μm (≈700 wtppm total hydrogen) exhibit brittle behavior, while cladding tubes with a rim thickness <90 μm (≈600 wtppm) remain ductile. The mechanism of failure is identified as strain-induced sequence of microcrack initiation within the hydride rim, linkage of microcracks to form a long (surface) crack, and subsequent failure of the cladding wall due to either a shear instability or ductile crack growth.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationHydrogen Effects on Material Behaviour and Corrosion Deformation Interactions - Proc. of the International Conference on Hydrogen Effects on Material Behaviour and Corrosion Deformation Interactions
EditorsN.R. Moody, A.W. Thompson, R.E. Ricker, G.S. Was, R.H. Jones
Pages249-258
Number of pages10
StatePublished - 2003
EventInternational Conference on Hydrogen Effects on Material Behaviour and Corrosion Deformation Interactions - Moran, WY, United States
Duration: Sep 22 2002Sep 26 2002

Publication series

NameHydrogen Effects on Material Behaviour and Corrosion Deformation Interactions - Proc. of the International Conference on Hydrogen Effects on Material Behaviour and Corrosion Deformation Interactions

Other

OtherInternational Conference on Hydrogen Effects on Material Behaviour and Corrosion Deformation Interactions
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityMoran, WY
Period9/22/029/26/02

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Engineering(all)

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