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Hydrogen Charging of Zirconium Parts in the Process of Manufacturing and Operation: a Factor Limiting Their Life in VVÉR and RBMK Reactors

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Abstract

The causes of hydrogen charging of zirconium parts in cores of VVÉR and RBMK reactors during manufacturing and operation and the factors influencing these processes are considered. The laws governing the influence of hydrogen charging on the fracture toughness of thin-wall zirconium parts are studied. It is shown that cracks may develop in thin-wall zirconium parts of fuel rod arrays under the action of hydrogen by the mechanism of delayed hydride cracking. The effect of irradiation on the rate of crack propagation in zirconium parts due to delayed hydride cracking is considered.

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REFERENCES

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. A. A. Bochvar All-Russia Research Institute for Inorganic Materials (VNIINM), Moscow, Russia

    S. V. Ivanova, A. K. Shikov & O. V. Bocharov

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  1. S. V. Ivanova
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  2. A. K. Shikov
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  3. O. V. Bocharov
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Ivanova, S.V., Shikov, A.K. & Bocharov, O.V. Hydrogen Charging of Zirconium Parts in the Process of Manufacturing and Operation: a Factor Limiting Their Life in VVÉR and RBMK Reactors. Metal Science and Heat Treatment 45, 321–327 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1027301006562

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1027301006562

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