An approach to study oxidation-induced stresses in Zr alloys oxidized at high temperature

A method was elaborated to measure the deformation of Zr alloy samples in-situ, during oxidation at high temperature (above 900 degrees C typically) and subsequent cooling. In addition, a model was developed to calculate the internal stresses generated within the multiphase and multilayered material oxidized at high temperature. Comparison of simulation and experimental results confirmed the benefit of making measurements in-situ rather than post-facto. It was shown that internal stresses generated during oxidation at high temperature are potentially very different from those reported for lower temperatures, due in particular to amplified diffusion of oxygen within the metal and increased viscoplasticity.