SEDL / STP / STP611-EB / STP38047S

Tensile and Hardness Property Evaluations of Irradiated Zircaloy Cladding Under Off-Normal and Transient Conditions

Lowry, LM
Researcher and research leaders, Battelle's Columbus Laboratories, Columbus, Ohio

Perrin, JS
Researcher and research leaders, Battelle's Columbus Laboratories, Columbus, Ohio

Bauer, AA
Researcher and research leaders, Battelle's Columbus Laboratories, Columbus, Ohio

Pages: 10    Published: Jan 1976

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Abstract

A program is being conducted to determine the mechanical behavior of irradiated Zircaloy-4 fuel rod cladding subjected to anneals under temperature and time conditions that simulate various off-normal and transient reactor operating conditions. This paper reports the initial phase of the program, which is a study of changes in hardness and tensile properties that accompany isothermal and transient anneals. A special transient annealing apparatus was built to subject specimens to the desired temperature/time conditions. Hardness and tensile strength decreased with increase in the maximum annealing temperature from 800°F (425°C) to 1300°F (705°C). Changes above 1100°F (595°C) were related to recrystallization and grain growth.