Hydrogen Degassing of Zirconium under High-Vacuum Conditions

Micromechanics techniques, such as nano-indentation and micro-pillar compression, can be applied to study hydrogen-charged zirconium alloys at elevated temperatures, which is highly relevant for the nuclear industry. Such experiments are often conducted inside a scanning electron microscope (SEM) under high-vacuum conditions (10−5 mbar). The combination of high-temperature environment causes some hydrogen escape from sample into chamber. Although this effect evident temperatures above 600 °C, extent desorption lower still unclear. In presented study, was assessed in cladding tube material temperature content comparable those faced by used fuel during dry storage. measured loss due high vacuum compared simulations obtained using an extended version behavior tool developed PSI.