The object of this study is to obtain a better understanding of delayed hydride cracking (DHC) of Zr-2.5Nb pressure tube with crack growth directions; the radial and axial direction of the tube. DHC tests were conducted at temperatures ranging from 16...
The object of this study is to obtain a better understanding of delayed hydride cracking (DHC) of Zr-2.5Nb pressure tube with crack growth directions; the radial and axial direction of the tube. DHC tests were conducted at temperatures ranging from 160~280℃ on curved compact tension (CCT) and cantilever beam (CB) specimens with 60 ppm H to determine the threshold stress intensity factor, K<SUB>IH</SUB> in axial and radial directions of the Zr-2.5Nb tube, respectively. Over a temperature range of 160 ~ 250℃, K<SUB>IH</SUB> of the Zr-2.5Nb tube was constant independent of temperatures in both directions of the tube. K<SUB>IH</SUB> was higher in the radial direction than that in the axial direction: 5.84 ㎫√m in the axial direction and 8.44 ㎫√m in the radial direction. Furthermore, K<SUB>IH</SUB>had a strong dependence of the supersaturated hydrogen concentration in Zr-2.5Nb pressure tube. Thus, K<SUB>IH</SUB> was nicely described as a function of the supersaturated hydrogen concentration over TSSD independent of temperatures. K<SUB>IH</SUB> was discussed with the supersaturated hydrogen concentration and orientations.