Microstructure and Texture Evolution During the Annealing of Cold-worked Zr-1 wt%Nb

Abstract

The texture changes in tube reduced (60%) and stress relieved Zr-1 wt%Nb nuclear fuel sheathing on annealing at temperatures from 300–1100℃ for 10⁴ seconds have been measured using an X-ray inverse pole figure technique. These changes in texture are then related to changes in both mechanical anisotropy as determined using Knoop microhardness measurements and microstructure as seen using optical metallography. Changes in texture and anisotropy arise both from recrystallization and phase changes, with major texture changes only occurring at temperatures where there is a phase transformation to β_Zr.