Experimental Investigation and Creep Correlation of Zr-2.5Nb Alloy

Abstract

Pressure tubes (PT) are a key component of Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors used in Nuclear Power Plants. They support the fuel bundles and offer structural stability. Zr-2.5Nb alloys are widely employed as PT materials because of their excellent corrosion resistance, low neutron absorption cross-section, and good mechanical properties. A thorough understanding and prediction of the creep life of PTs along both the longitudinal and transverse directions becomes imperative for the proper functioning of reactors. Hence, this work was carried out to investigate the microstructure, high-temperature tensile behaviour, and constant stress creep behaviour of Zr-2.5Nb alloys.