Characterization of Zr-based nuclear components by TOF neutron diffraction

Abstract

Zr-2.5%Nb pressure tubes are important components of CANDU nuclear power plants. In-reactor performance depends on a number of microstructural parameters such as crystallographic texture, dislocation densities and volume of minority phases. Neutron diffraction experiments can be used to follow the variation of such parameters at different stages of manufacturing processes. Here we report recent measurements carried out on ENGIN-X (a time-of-fl ight neutron diffractometer at the ISIS Facility, United Kingdom), to characterize a novel processing scheme recently developed in Argentina. An optimized measurement strategy resulted in reduced experimental times to complete the study.