Research performed by Miguel Cristobal.
This work is focused in the effect of hydrides in the mechanical behavior of spent fuel cladding in dry storage and transport conditions. Hydrogen is introduced in zirconium cladding samples using cathodic charge, and then precipitated in the form of zirconium hydrides. Some samples are also subjected to hydride reorientation treatment. These samples with hydrides are then subjected to mechanical tests in different ways. Finally, samples are characterize using different techniques, like optical microscopy, SEM or hydrogen analysis.
