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Degradation of Fuel Cladding Materials Based on Zirconium after Operation in VVER-Type Reactors

  • RADIATION MATERIALS SCIENCE
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Inorganic Materials: Applied Research Aims and scope

Abstract

The paper presents microstructural studies of specimens cut from fuel elements made of E110 spongy zirconium-based alloy after operation in a VVER-1000 before reaching the burnup of ~35 MWd/kg U. As a result of exposure to high temperatures and neutron irradiation, significant changes in the phase composition of fuel cladding materials appear: change in the size, density, and composition of β-Nb particles; change in the composition of the Laves phase; formation of dislocation loops of α type, as well as δ and γ hydrides. The main structural elements determining the degradation of the mechanical properties of the E110 alloy under irradiation are dislocation loops and fine-phase precipitates owing to their relatively large density. The data obtained can be used to construct dose dependences of microstructural changes with the aim of predicting the residual life of claddings and fuel assemblies as a whole.

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Funding

This work was carried out within the framework of the grant of the President of the Russian Federation no. MK-4420.2018.8.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Research Center Kurchatov Institute, 123182, Moscow, Russia

    A. S. Frolov, B. A. Gurovich, E. A. Kuleshova, D. A. Maltsev, D. V. Safonov, V. N. Kochkin, E. V. Alexeeva & N. V. Stepanov

  2. National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Moscow Engineering Physics Institute), 115409, Moscow, Russia

    E. A. Kuleshova

Authors
  1. A. S. Frolov
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  2. B. A. Gurovich
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  3. E. A. Kuleshova
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  4. D. A. Maltsev
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Correspondence to A. S. Frolov.

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Translated by A. Muravev

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Frolov, A.S., Gurovich, B.A., Kuleshova, E.A. et al. Degradation of Fuel Cladding Materials Based on Zirconium after Operation in VVER-Type Reactors. Inorg. Mater. Appl. Res. 10, 1461–1470 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1134/S2075113319060091

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