SEDL / STP / STP551-EB / STP32124S

Variation of Zircaloy Fracture Toughness in Irradiation

Walker, TJ
Fellow engineer, Westinghouse Electric Corp, Bettis Atomic Power Lab., Pittsburgh, Pa.

Kass, JN
General Electric Co., San Jose, Calif.

Pages: 27    Published: Jan 1974

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Abstract

Irradiated and unirradiated fracture toughness data for Zircaloy-4 are summarized as functions of both temperature and orientation. Data are presented as ASTM “valid” values and as maximum or failure values which may be desirable for certain applications with multiple redundant structures. Surface fractographic characterization is included based on scanning electron microscope studies of the fracture surface and metallographic studies of sections of the crack tip region. A limited amount of crack growth data for irradiated material was obtained from the irradiated fracture specimens prior to fracture testing and has been included for general reference.