Deformation and Fracture of Zirconium Alloy at Low Temperatures

Abstract

This paper describes the results of an experimental study on deformation and fracture of a Zr–1% Nb zirconium alloy in the case of multiple loads at low temperatures (−80°C). Samples cut out of pipes and applied as shells of nuclear fuel elements of fuel assemblies of nuclear reactors are used to conduct a series of experiments on low-cycle stretching and compression at low temperatures and study the effect of low temperature on stress relaxation in the material under different numbers of preliminary loads.