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arXiv · 2305.02249

Fabrication of bulk delta-phase Zirconium Hydride from Zircaloy-4 for use as moderators in microreactors

D. Parkison·M. A. Tunes·T. J. Nizolek·T. A. Saleh·P. Hosemann·C. A. Kohnert
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Abstract

The fabrication of bulk delta-phase Zirconium Hydride ($\delta$-ZrH) using Zircaloy-4 as a precursor is herein reported. Characterization using electron-microscopy methods indicate that the fabricated material is of a single-phase. Sn-rich segregation zones have been observed to form as a direct result of the hydriding process. These findings experimentally validate previous \textit{ab initio} calculations on the influence H incorporation in Zircaloy-4 constitutional elements such as Sn, Fe and Cr. The effect of hydriding and Sn segregation on pre-existing Zr(Fe,Cr)$_{2}$ Laves phases is also evaluated. Major implications on the development of moderators for use in microreactors within the nuclear industry are discussed.

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D. Parkison, M. A. Tunes, T. J. Nizolek, T. A. Saleh, P. Hosemann, C. A. Kohnert. 2023-05-03. Fabrication of bulk delta-phase Zirconium Hydride from Zircaloy-4 for use as moderators in microreactors. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scriptamat.2023.115771

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