Developing novel techniques for hydride characterisation in irradiated Zr alloys

Zirconium alloys are used to make the fuel rods in nuclear reactors. These rods spend their life sitting in hot, high-pressure water and hydrogen from the water can enter the zirconium and form regions of brittle zirconium hydride. These hydrides worsen the mechanical properties of the zirconium, meaning that the fuel rods need to be replaced…