The purpose of this study is to investigate the precipitation behavior of zirconium hydrides in a Zr-2.5Nb pressure tube. The hydride precipitates were observed on the two sections (longitudinal-normal(LN) and transeverse-normal(TN) sections) from the...
The purpose of this study is to investigate the precipitation behavior of zirconium hydrides in a Zr-2.5Nb pressure tube. The hydride precipitates were observed on the two sections (longitudinal-normal(LN) and transeverse-normal(TN) sections) from the Zr-2.5Nb pressure tube using transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction pattern. The hydride habit plane, related to the crack growth direction of DHC (delayed hydride cracking), was {1017}<SUB>Zr</SUB> plane. The orientation relationship between the hydride and the Zr matrix on the LN section was found to be : [1210]<SUB>Zr</SUB> // [110]<SUB>H</SUB>. (0001)<SUB>Zr</SUB> // (111)<SUB>H</SUB>. The morphology and growth pattern of hydrides on the TN section is classified two cases : one is long hydride grown along the α-Zr grain, the other is thin needle type hydride across the α-Zr grain. Based on the analysis of MBD (micro beam diffraction) patterns on each hydride, the difference in the precipitation pattern of hydrides is discussed.