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Extracting quantitative data from partly revealed anisotropic microstructures as applied to zirconium tubes

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  • Image Analysis Across Length Scales
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Abstract

Pressure tubes holding the uranium rods of a CANDU (CANada Deuterium Uranium) reactor show deformation with time in service. At a certain point, this deformation becomes too severe and the tubes must be decommissioned. This reduces the reactor’s energy output. It has been observed that the microstructure of the pressure tubes is indicative of creep behavior. This paper presents the image analysis procedure used to characterize the level of anisotropy and the α-phase dimension of the Zr-2.5Nb alloy used in pressure tubes. The techniques used to evaluate experimental error and to correct for sampling bias are also explained.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hydro-Québec Research Institute, 1800 Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Quebec, Canada, J3X 1S1

    M. Lagacé, L. Rodrigue, P. Hovington & M. L. Trudeau

Authors
  1. M. Lagacé
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  2. L. Rodrigue
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  3. P. Hovington
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  4. M. L. Trudeau
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Correspondence to M. Lagacé.

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Lagacé, M., Rodrigue, L., Hovington, P. et al. Extracting quantitative data from partly revealed anisotropic microstructures as applied to zirconium tubes. JOM 60, 17–21 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-008-0042-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-008-0042-y

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