Gas release from an E125 zirconium alloy under hydrogenation and deformation conditions

Abstract

The degassing from a hydrogen-saturated E125 zirconium alloy is studied as a function of its deformation. Zirconium alloy samples are subjected to tension at a relative elongation of 2.5, 5, and 10%. Undeformed and deformed samples were saturated with hydrogen by a galvanic method at a current density of 0.5 A/cm²; that is, they are hydrogen saturated and then deformed. As a result, the defects at which hydrogen is trapped in zirconium are identified. The quantity of hydrogen trapped by defects depends on the strain and the sequence of deformation and hydrogen saturation. This is a technical result of the investigations, which can be used to find optimum operation conditions for hydrogen-saturated zirconium articles.