Hydride precipitation by cathodic hydrogen charging method in zirconium alloys

The characteristics of zirconium hydrides formed by the electrochemical hydrogen charging method in Zr–Sn–Nb plate were investigated. The hydrides were observed to be mostly oriented along the rolling direction and were identified as fcc δ-ZrH2 by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope. The hydride orientation factors f45 on the longitudinal or transverse section was smaller than 0.2, which was helpful to avoid the hydrogen embrittlement in the alloy. The habit plane of hydrides in the alloy was not unique and the numerous habit planes were those within 0–25° and 70–90° of the basal plane, which was corresponding to the texture of basal poles. The results have been discussed extensively.