Calculation of the Hydride Cracking Velocity in Irradiated Fuel Elements of Light-Water Reactors

The velocity of delayed hydride cracking in irradiated E110 alloy (0.01% hydrogen) and zircalloy-2 (0.078% hydrogen) is predicted. It is shown that the velocity of cracking in VVER and RBMK fuel-element cladding is lower than in the stronger BWR fuel-element cladding. The maximum predicted velocity of cracking in E110 alloy is 2·10–7 m/sec and is reached at 533 K. Below this temperature, the cracking process in both materials studied follows the Arrhenius law with activation energy 53–56 kJ/mole.