Abstract
Experimental studies of radiation-induced dimensional changes in zirconium have been undertaken in the RA1 reactor of the CNEA in Buenos Aires. Both undoped and 235U-doped strip specimens were prepared with preferred orientation to obtain growth in the rolling direction. Bimetal strips were prepared by recombining doped and undoped samples. During bombardment, in the mixed spectrum of the RA1, fission in doped specimens increased the damage rate by nearly two orders of magnitude compared with the undoped. The greater dimensional changes occurring in the doped specimen produce a bow in the bimetal. Measuring the bowing amplitude enables the calculation of relative dimensional changes. Results obtained from bombardments at 365 K in a high temperature loop and at 77 K in a cryostat will be presented and discussed in detail. It is of particular significance to emphasize that at 77 K the dimensional changes were negligible, suggesting that defect migration plays a significant role in the induced dimensional changes.
Published Version
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