Abstract
In order to evaluate the fracture resistance of fuel rods against a seismic loading following a Loss-Of-Coolant-Accident (LOCA), the bending strength of fuel cladding which experienced a simulated LOCA has been investigated since the Fukushima-daiichi nuclear power plant accident. In this study, four-point-bending-tests were performed using Zircaloy-4 cladding tubes which experienced a simulated LOCA sequence in order to investigate the effects of oxidation and secondary hydriding occurring during a LOCA on the bending strength of fuel cladding. According to the obtained results, it was suggested that the maximum bending stress would be affected by the oxygen concentration in the prior-β layer as well as the thickness of prior-β layer. It was considered that the decrease in maximum bending stress by secondary hydriding is probably expressed by multiplying a factor of 0.37 by the maximum bending stress which solely takes account of the effect of oxidation.
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