Influence of temperature and hydrogen content on the transverse mechanical properties of Zircaloy-4 fuel cladding

• Published in: Progress in nuclear energy (New series) 2022-11, Vol.153, p.104439, Article 104439
• Main Authors: Sawarn, T.K., Shriwastaw, R.S., Banerjee, Suparna, Samanta, Akanksha, Kumar, Suraj, Sunil, Saurav, Shah, P. Kotak, Singh, R.N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Hydride; Loss of coolant accident; Ring tension test; Scanning electron microscopy; Zircaloy-4 fuel cladding
• ISSN: 0149-1970
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pnucene.2022.104439

This paper presents the results of the investigation on the influence of hydrogen on the transverse mechanical properties of the Zircaloy-4 fuel cladding at various temperatures ranging from room temperature to 600οC. Data pertaining to the mechanical properties of the fuel cladding in the hoop direction are required for the analysis of high burn-up fuel behaviour under loss of coolant accident (LOCA) and reactivity initiated accident (RIA) conditions. Using the ring tension test method, the mechanical properties of the Zircaloy-4 fuel cladding in the transverse direction were evaluated as functions of hydrogen concentration and test temperature. The effect of hydrogen on the mechanical properties was observed to be marginal but the effect of temperature was significant in the investigated hydrogen concentration range (47–475 ppmw). •Effect of hydrogen and temperatures on the transverse mechanical properties studied.•Effect of temperature dominant than the hydrogen on the mechanical properties.•Strength increased marginally with hydrogen till 300 °C, beyond effect was negligible.•Ductility decreased with hydrogen above 300 ppmw at all the test temperatures.•Below 70 ppmw no secondary cracks were observed.