Characterisation of irradiation enhanced strain localisation in a zirconium alloy

R. Thomas, D. Lunt, M. D. Atkinson, J. Quinta da Fonseca, M. Preuss, F. Barton, J. O'Hanlon, P. Frankel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

High resolution digital image correlation (HRDIC) has been used to quantify the effect of proton irradiation on strain localisation in Zircaloy-4. Confinement of slip to dislocation channels in irradiated material lead to intense, planar slip bands with high effective shear strain values within channels. More diffuse, homogenous slip was observed in non-irradiated material, with the highest strains measured near grain boundaries. By comparing experimental slip trace angles from HRDIC with theoretical slip trace angles determined using grain orientations from electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), the active slip plane was determined. Understanding the localised deformation of irradiated materials relative to their microstructure is essential for valid predictions of the structural integrity, and therefore design life, of components in nuclear applications.

Original languageEnglish
Article number100248
Number of pages5
JournalMaterialia
Volume5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2019
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD)
  • High resolution digital image correlation (HRDIC)
  • Irradiation embrittlement
  • Plasticity
  • Slip

Cite this