Influence of growth-stresses on zirconium behaviour in a hot water vapour atmosphere.
Rôle des contraintes de croissance sur le comportement du zirconium dans la vapeur d'eau à température élevée.
Résumé
This paper describes the oxidation of zirconium in an H2/H2O mixture between 750 and 1250°C and the observed phenomena are explained in terms of growth-stress effects. The brittle behaviour of the zirconium metal, quite comparable to that of a ceramic, is showed in this way.