Effect of Sn on generalized stacking fault energy surfaces in zirconium and its hydrides

TL;DR

This study combines atomic-scale calculations and experiments to understand how tin influences stacking faults and solute distribution in zirconium hydrides, shedding light on hydrogen embrittlement in nuclear fuel cladding.

Contribution

It reveals how tin stabilizes stacking faults in zirconium and hydrides, and explains its distribution at interfaces and defects, advancing understanding of microstructural evolution in Zr alloys.

Findings

Sn stabilizes stacking faults in Zr and hydrides.

Sn is repelled by hydrides and trapped at interfaces.

The study links solute distribution to microstructural changes.

Abstract

Hydrogen embrittlement in Zr alloy fuel cladding is a primary safety concern for water based nuclear reactors. Here we investigated the stabilisation of planar defects within the forming hydrides by Sn, the primary alloying element of Zircaloy-4 used in the cladding. In order to explain formation of hydrides and planar defects observed in our experiments, we performed atomic-scale ab initio calculations focusing on the solute interactions with generalized stacking faults in hcp $\alpha$-Zr and fcc zirconium hydrides. Our calculations showed that an increase in Sn concentration leads to a stabilisation of stacking faults in both $\alpha$-Zr and hydride phases. However, the solution enthalpy of Sn is lower in the $\alpha$-Zr as compared to the other hydride phases indicative of two competing processes of Sn depletion/enrichment at the Zr hydride/matrix interface. This is corroborated by experimental findings, where Sn is repelled by hydrides and is mostly found trapped at interfaces and planar defects indicative of stacking faults inside the hydride phases. Our systematic investigation enables us to understand the presence and distribution of solutes in the hydride phases, which provides a deeper insight into the microstructural evolution of such alloy's properties during its service lifetime.