Experimental characterization of Zircaloy-4 sheet deformation during combined hydriding and corrosion

• Published in: Journal of nuclear materials 2013-04, Vol.435 (1-3), p.41-48
• Main Authors: Krebs, B., Desquines, J., Busser, V., Drouan, D., Zanellato, O.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Controled nuclear fusion plants; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Fission nuclear power plants; Fuels; Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy; Nuclear fuels; Physics; Preparation and processing of nuclear fuels
• ISSN: 0022-3115; 1873-4820
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jnucmat.2012.12.019

► We characterise strain after hydrogen gaseous charging on Zircaloy-4 sheets. ► We measure the strain evolution during air and steam oxidations. ► Contributions of oxide layer growth and hydride precipitation were quantified. ► The measured overall swelling strain is the sum of both strain contributions. ► We show that the hydrogen pickup affects significantly the oxide stress profile. In the frame of its research activity on nuclear fuel safety, the French “Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire” (IRSN) has been investigating the dimensional stability of fuel assemblies in Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR). Under normal operating conditions, the dimensional stability is an important performance issue for light water reactor fuel assemblies. The dimensional change results from a combined influence of oxidation, hydriding, irradiation growth and irradiation creep. In the present work, detailed studies carried out on zirconium alloys address the combined influence of oxide layer growth, hydride precipitation and thermal creep. In order to quantify the contribution of each parameter, three kinds of experiments were performed on samples cut in a recrystallized Zircaloy-4 sheet: hydrogen gaseous charging, air oxidation and steam oxidation. These experiments confirm the influence of hydrogen on sample deformation during oxidation. A basic understanding of the key mechanisms affecting the sample strain is proposed.