SEDL / STP / STP341-EB / STP41761S

In-Reactor Creep Measurements on Zircaloy-2

Chockie, L. J.
General Electric Co., Richland, Wash.

Holmes, J. J.
General Electric Co., Richland, Wash.

Tobin, J. C.
General Electric Co., Richland, Wash.

Pages: 9    Published: Jan 1963

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Abstract

Creep tests are being made on Zircaloy-2 while the specimen is exposed to neutron irradiation in a reactor. The creep tests are made in miniaturized creep machines (capsules) inserted in the reactor. These capsules have been improved until it is possible to obtain consistently reliable creep data. Test temperatures are maintained to within ±2 C in the capsules and the sensitivity of strain measurement is a few microinches. The instantaneous creep rates on coldworked Zircaloy-2 appear to be less under neutron irradiation. When radiation ceases during reactor shutdowns, marked increases in creep rate are observed. The resulting strain after several reactor cycles is greater than that found in an unirradiated test.