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Open AccessReport10.2172/4827123

REVIEW OF ZIRCALOY-2 AND ZIRCALOY-4 PROPERTIES RELEVANT TO N.S. SAVANNAH REACTOR DESIGN

C. L. Whitmarsh-1962-07-23
87

TL;DRAbstract

Information on zircaloy technology, with specific emhasis on environmental conditions similar to those present in the reactor core of the N. S. Savannah is discussed. ata on mechanical and corrosion properties, radiation effects, and other pentinent subjects are given. Out-of-pile data relevant to Zircaloy-2 structural components in the N. S. Savannah core show a yield strength of ~20,000 psi for annealed material, a creep rate of <10/sup -5/%/hr at 15,000 psi, and corrosion of only a few mils in 20 years. The principal effects of radiation exposure are increased mechanical strength and decreased uniform elongation. Brittle fracture does not occur, however, because reductions in area permit local plastic deformation. The corrosion rate is increased by radiation exposure (less than a factor of 5), but even at the increased rate metal loss is insignificant. Except for hydrogen pickup, Zircaloy-4 exhibits essentially the same properties as Zircaloy-2. Excessive hydrogen content, with resu

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Information on zircaloy technology, with specific emhasis on environmental conditions similar to those present in the reactor core of the N. S. Savannah is discussed. ata on mechanical and corrosion properties, radiation effects, and other pentinent subjects are given. Out-of-pile data relevant to Zircaloy-2 structural components in the N. S. Savannah core show a yield strength of ~20,000 psi for annealed material, a creep rate of <10/sup -5/%/hr at 15,000 psi, and corrosion of only a few mils in 20 years. The principal effects of radiation exposure are increased mechanical strength and decreased uniform elongation. Brittle fracture does not occur, however, because reductions in area permit local plastic deformation. The corrosion rate is increased by radiation exposure (less than a factor of 5), but even at the increased rate metal loss is insignificant. Except for hydrogen pickup, Zircaloy-4 exhibits essentially the same properties as Zircaloy-2. Excessive hydrogen content, with resu

Keywords

Zirconium alloyMaterials scienceEmbrittlementCorrosionCreepBrittlenessMetallurgyComposite material

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