Fractal pattern of δ-hydride with stress-state

• Published in: Chaos, solitons and fractals solitons and fractals, 2024-09, Vol.186, p.115148, Article 115148
• Main Author: Das, Arpan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Fractal dimension; Hydrogen embrittlement; Image texture; Reorientation; Zr–2.5Nb alloy; δ-hydride
• ISSN: 0960-0779
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chaos.2024.115148

Fractal dimension of any defect in microstructure is a critical parameter for their geometric irregularities, pattern of arrangements and morphological attributes. The fractal dimensions of δ-hydride network (circumferential and radial) at different hydrogen concentrations of a Zr–2.5Nb pressure tube have been determined and correlated with its respective microstructural and textural variables as a function of stress-state. Image texture analysis has also been carried out to realize the stored energy and configurational stability of the δ-hydride pattern under α-Zr matrix. The invasive fractal nature, chaos and reorientation of δ-hydride as a function of processing schedule, stress-state and hydrogen content has been convincingly revealed. This research will be extremely useful in estimating primarily the severity of hydrogen embrittlement of a nuclear component by simply analyzing the fractal pattern and image texture of such hydride networks. [Display omitted] •Fractal dimensions of complex δ-hydride network measured.•Zr–2.5Nb alloy at different processing schedules, hydrogen concentrations chosen.•Fractal dimension of δ-hydride, crystallographic texture and stress-state correlated.•Image texture analysis performed to understand the stored-energy, configurational stability and reorientation of δ-hydride.•The invasive fractal nature, chaos and reorientation of δ-hydride convincingly revealed.