Hydridation study of zirconium alloys after corrosion tests out of the reactor

The zircaloy 4 hydridation rate increases with the environment aggressiveness (unfavourable effect of Li). This rate seems to be increasing when the tin content decreases. By isothermal test, an homogeneous distribution of hydrogen is observed in the material. The hydrogen in the oxide layer is divided in an outer diffusion section and in an enrichment peak in this element which can be detected in the metal/oxide interface. This peak seems to be bound to the hydrogen limit of solubility exceeding in the material at the test temperature. 3 figs