Texture Effect of Zircaloy on Ultrasonic Velocity
SourceThe effect of crystallographic texture and heat treatment of Zircaloy on ultrasonic velocity was investigated by using specimens obtained from a Zircaloy plate and cladding tubes fabricated by different schedules covering a wide range of Q-values.
The theoretical ultrasonic velocity in polycrystalline zirconium was also calculated. The results are as follows:
1. The crystallographic texture has a significant effect on ultrasonic velocity. Ultrasonic velocity increases by 1% almost linearly with each increase of 0.1 in the f-factor in the range above f=0.3.
2. Heat treatment has little effect on ultrasonic velocity, and the difference of ultrasonic velocity between as-rolled and recrystallized tubes was 0.3%.
3. The ultrasonic velocity in polycrystalline zirconium calculated by using pole figure data shows fairly good agreement with experimental data.