[en] A burst criterion model, which assumes that deformation is controlled by steady-state creep, has been developed for thin-walled Zircaloy-4 cladding subjected to a differential pressure and high temperature. The creep equation is integrated to obtain a burst time at the singularity of the strain. Once the burst time is determined, the burst temperature and burst pressure are calculated from the known temperature and pressure histories. A relationship between burst stress and burst temperature then determines the burst strain. Experimental burst data show good agreement with theoretical predictions. It was found that, if the heating rate is constant, the burst temperature increases with decreasing stress. If the stress level is constant, the burst temperature increases with increasing heating rate. If the burst temperature is constant, the burst strain increases with decreasing heating rate. Anisotropy alters the burst temperature and burst strain. (author)