Elastic-Plastic Analysis of Hydride Blisters in Zircaloy-2 Pressure Tubes

The possibility that stresses might be produced as a consequence of expansion resulting from the transformation of zirconium to zirconium hydride in the form of blisters was investigated. Parametric elastic-plastic finite element analyses were performed because the physical properties near the blister were not clearly defined. Results show that significant stresses can arise from the volume expansion of hydride blisters, being largely compressive within the blister, tensile outside.