The effect of crystallographic texture and heat treatment of Zircaloy on ultrasonic velocity was investigated by using specimens obtained from a Zircaloy plate and cladding tubes fabricated by different schedules covering a wide range of Q-values.

The theoretical ultrasonic velocity in polycrystalline zirconium was also calculated. The results are as follows:

1. The crystallographic texture has a significant effect on ultrasonic velocity. Ultrasonic velocity increases by 1% almost linearly with each increase of 0.1 in the f-factor in the range above f=0.3.

2. Heat treatment has little effect on ultrasonic velocity, and the difference of ultrasonic velocity between as-rolled and recrystallized tubes was 0.3%.

3. The ultrasonic velocity in polycrystalline zirconium calculated by using pole figure data shows fairly good agreement with experimental data.