Optimization of stress relief heat treatment of PHWR pressure tubes (Zr–2.5Nb alloy)

Abstract The micro-structure of cold worked Zr–2.5%Nb pressure tube material consists of elongated grains of α-zirconium enclosed by a thin film of β-zirconium phase. This β-Zr phase is unstable and on heating, progressively decomposes to α-Zr phase and β-phase enriched with Nb and ultimately form βNb. Meta-stable ω-phase precipitates as an intermediate step during decomposition depending on the heat treatment schedule, β Zr → α + β enr → α + ω + β enr → α + β enr → α + β Nb Morphological changes occur in the β-zirconium phase during the decomposition. The continuous ligaments of βZr phase turn into a discontinuous array of particles followed by globulization of the β-phase. The morphological changes impose a significant effect on the creep rate and on the delayed hydride cracking velocity due to reduction in the hydrogen diffusion coefficient in αZr. If the continuity of β-phase is disrupted by heat treatment, the effective diffusion coefficient decreases with a concomitant reduction in DHC velocity. The pressure tubes for the Indian PHWRs are made by a process of hot extrusion followed by cold pilgering in two stages and an intermediate annealing. Autoclaving at 400 °C for 36 h ensures stress relieving of the finished tubes. In the present studies, autoclaving duration at 400 °C was varied from 24 h to 96 h at 12 h-steps and the micro-structural changes in the β-phase were observed by TEM. Dislocation density, hardness and the micro-structural features such as thickness of β-phase, inter-particle spacing and volume fraction of the phases were measured at each stage. Autoclaving for a longer duration was found to change the morphology of β-phase and increase the inter-particle spacing. Progressive changes in the aspect ratio of the β-phase and their size and distribution are documented and reported. These micro-structural modifications are expected to decrease DHC velocity during reactor operation.