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The internal pressurization creep of Zr alloys for spent-fuel dry storage feasibility

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Abstract

A short review of creep results on Zircaloy-4 tubing under closed-end internal pressurization is presented with the express purpose of applying the results to dry-storage feasibility. Data reveal inconsistencies with regard to the underlying creep mechanism at intermediate and high stresses. A lack of relevant results is noted on transitional creep mechanisms as stresses and temperatures are lowered, along with the dangers involved in blind extrapolation of short-term creep results to conditions encountered during dry storage that could lead to nonconservative estimates of creep rates, creep strains, and lifetimes due to the dominance of viscous creep mechanisms at these conditions. The plausible influence of alloying elements, such as niobium and vanadium, on the underlying creep mechanism(s) is enumerated. Further research is warranted on the characterization of creep mechanisms in Zircaloys in terms of not only the mechanical data, but also the microstructural investigations.

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  1. North Carolina State University, USA

    K. L. Murty (a professor)

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For more information, contact K.L. Murty, North Carolina State University, Box 7909, Raleigh, North Carolina 77695-7909; (919) 515-3657; fax (919) 515-5115; e-mail murty@ncsu.edu.

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Murty, K.L. The internal pressurization creep of Zr alloys for spent-fuel dry storage feasibility. JOM 52, 34–38 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-000-0185-y

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