Creep Deformation of Westinghouse Zircaloy-4 Fuel Cladding Tubes in the alpha Plus beta Phase Temperature Range

摘要

The creep behaviour of Westinghouse Zircaloy-4 fuel cladding tubes of the 17 x 17 PWR design has been examined between 1098 and 1223K using constant pressure biaxial creep tests. The cladding exhibits a duplex microstructure of alpha and beta phase at these temperatures. Data is presented on minimum creep rates, rupture strains and times to rupture as a function of stress and temperature. The effect of varying heat treatments and pre-straining on subsequent deformation behaviour is examined. A general equation which describes the variation of the minimum creep rate with stress and temperature is formulated for cladding exposed to a constant heat treatment. (Atomindex citation 16:060165)