SEDL / STP / STP551-EB / STP32109S

Effect of the Annealing Temperature on the Creep Strength of Cold-Worked Zircaloy -4 Cladding

Frenkel, JM
Engineer and chief, Applied Research Metallurgical Service, Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique, Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires de Saclay, GIF-SUR-YVETTE,

Weisz, M
Engineer and chief, Applied Research Metallurgical Service, Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique, Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires de Saclay, GIF-SUR-YVETTE,

Pages: 5    Published: Jan 1974

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Abstract

Transverse creep strength of Zircaloy-4 tubing annealed in the range of 440 to 650°C has been evaluated by internal pressure tests, short-time control tests at 400°C, and long-time tests, as well as out-pile or in-pile, between 330 to 400°C.

For low and intermediate stresses (lower than 133 MPa), it is observed that transverse creep strength increases while the annealing temperature is increased from 440 to 650°C. In-pile tests do confirm this trend.

The effect of the annealing temperature on the yield and creep anisotropy of the tubes has been evaluated at 400°C. From these results, it is concluded that the beneficial effect of a recrystallization treatment on the creep strength of Zircaloy-4 tubes is related to an effect of texture variation.