Abstract
The fracture behavior of Zr-2.5Nb pressure tube (PT) material containing radial hydrides with hydrogen concentrations between 30 and 300wppm was evaluated between 25 and 300 °C covering lower-shelf, transition and upper-shelf temperatures. The fracture toughness vs. temperature curves showed S curve behavior. In the lower-shelf region, specimens failed in a brittle manner with unstable crack growth, whereas in the upper-shelf region, specimens showed ductile fracture with stable crack growth. The S curve shifted to higher temperatures with hydrogen concentration, with saturation of lower-shelf, transition and upper-shelf temperatures between 100 and 300wppm. The fracture behavior was rationalized in terms of the strength of the Zr-2.5Nb PT material, hydrogen terminal solid solubility during dissolution, stress in the hydride during hydride dissolution, the hydride continuity coefficient and the strength of the embedded hydrides.
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