The orientation and distribution of
hydrides formed in zirconium alloy nuclear fuel cladding
can strongly influence material behavior and in particular
resistance to crack growth. The hydride microstructure and
platelet orientation are crucial to determining cladding
failure during mechanical testing. Hydride formation is
normally studied by post-facto metallography, performed at
room temperature and in the absence of applied stress.
This study uses synchrotron radiation to observe in-...