SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 2009
STP48129S

Characterization of Zirconium Hydrides and Phase Field Approach to a Mesoscopic-Scale Modeling of Their Precipitation

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Zirconium alloys are currently used in nuclear power plants where they are submitted to hydrogen pick-up. Hydrogen in solid solution or hydride precipitation can affect the behavior of zirconium alloys during service but also in long term storage and in accidental conditions. Numerical modeling at mesoscopic scale using a “phase field” approach has been launched to describe hydride precipitation and its consequences on the mechanical properties of zirconium alloys. To obtain realistic results, it should take into account an accurate kinetic, thermodynamic, and structural database in order to properly describe hydride nucleation, growth, and coalescence as well as hydride interaction with external stresses. Therefore, an accurate structural characterization was performed on Zircaloy-4 plates and it allowed us to identify a new zirconium hydride phase called ζ. The ζ phase has a trigonal symmetry and is fully coherent with hcp αZr. The consequences of this new zirconium hydride phase on hydride transformation process and stress-reorientation phenomenon are discussed. A first attempt to numerically model the precipitation of this new zirconium hydride phase has been undertaken using the phase field approach.

Author Information

Zhao, Z.
EDF R&D, centre des Renardières, Ecuelles, Moret-sur-Loing Cedex, France USTL, ENSCL, CNRS, Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France
Blat-Yrieix, M.
EDF R&D, centre des Renardières, Ecuelles, Moret-sur-Loing Cedex, France
Morniroli, J., -P.
USTL, ENSCL, CNRS, Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France
Legris, A.
USTL, ENSCL, CNRS, Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France
Thuinet, L.
USTL, ENSCL, CNRS, Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France
Kihn, Y.
CEMES-CNRS, Toulouse Cedex 4
Ambard, A.
EDF R&D, centre des Renardières, Ecuelles, Moret-sur-Loing Cedex, France
Legras, L.
EDF R&D, centre des Renardières, Ecuelles, Moret-sur-Loing Cedex, France
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Details
Developed by Committee: B10
Pages: 29–50
DOI: 10.1520/STP48129S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-8007-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-4514-6