Influence of temperature and hydrogen content on the transverse mechanical properties of Zircaloy-4 fuel cladding

This paper presents the results of the investigation on the influence of hydrogen on the transverse mechanical properties of the Zircaloy-4 fuel cladding at various temperatures ranging from room temperature to 600οC. Data pertaining to the mechanical properties of the fuel cladding in the hoop direction are required for the analysis of high burn-up fuel behaviour under loss of coolant accident (LOCA) and reactivity initiated accident (RIA) conditions. Using the ring tension test method, the mechanical properties of the Zircaloy-4 fuel cladding in the transverse direction were evaluated as functions of hydrogen concentration and test temperature. The effect of hydrogen on the mechanical properties was observed to be marginal but the effect of temperature was significant in the investigated hydrogen concentration range (47–475 ppmw).