Zircaloy cladding: Tough containment for spent fuel storage
Abstract
The potential Zircaloy cladding degradation mechanisms are examined. It is concluded that in a limited air atmosphere, only stress rupture, stress corrosion cracking (SSC), and fatigue fracture could possibly compromise the cladding with stress-rupture of the pressurized fuel rods appearing to be the most likely mode of breach. Due to uncertainties in Blackburn's calculations, an experimental and theoretical study of stress rupture, stress corrosion cracking and the fatigue-fracture behavior of the cladding under postulated dynamic loads was conducted. Results presented may equally apply to dry storage.
- Publication:
-
Presented at the AM. Nucl. Soc. Ann. Meeting
- Pub Date:
- 1981
- Bibcode:
- 1981ans..meet....7E
- Keywords:
-
- Cladding;
- Underground Storage;
- Waste Disposal;
- Zircaloys (Trademark);
- Creep Rupture Strength;
- Dynamic Loads;
- Fatigue (Materials);
- Fracture Strength;
- Stress Corrosion Cracking;
- Nuclear and High-Energy Physics