• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1986-1996
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• 2003

Methodology based on the elastic-plastic fracture mechanics has been widely accepted in predicting the critical crack length(CCL) of pressure tubes of CANDU nuclear plants. A conservative estimate of CCL is obtained by employing the J-resistance curves measured with the specimens satisfying plane strain condition as suggested in the ASTM standard. Due to limited thickness of the pressure tubes the curved compact tension(CT) specimens taken out from tile pressure tube have been used in obtaining J-resistance curves. The curved CT specimen inevitably introduce slant fatigue crack during precracking. Hence, effect of specimen geometry and slant crack on J-resistance curve should be explored. In this study, the difference of J integral values between the standard CT specimens satisfying plane strain condition and the nonstandard curved CT with limited thickness (4.2mm) is estimated using finite element analysis. The fracture resistance curves of Zr-2.5Nb obtained previously by other authors are critically discussed. Various finite element analysis were conducted such as 2D analysis under plane stress and plane strain conditions and 3D analysis for flat CT, curved CT with straight crack and curved CT with slant crack front. J-integral values were determined by local contour integration near the crack tip, which was considered as accurate J-values. J value was also determined from the load versus load line displacement curve and the J estimation equation in the ASTM standard. Discrepancies between the two values were shown and suggestion was made for obtaining accurate J values from the load line displacement curves obtained by the curved CT specimens.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2009.10a
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• pp.475-476
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• 2009

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.29 no.8 s.239
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• pp.1118-1122
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• 2005

The direct current potential drop (DCPD) method and the unloading compliance (UC) method with a crack opening displacement gauge were applied simultaneously to the Zr-2.5Nb curved compact tension (CCT) specimens to determine which of the two methods can precisely determine the crack initiation point and hence the crack length for evaluation of their fracture toughness. The DCPD method detected the crack initiation at a smaller load-line displacement compared to the UC method. As a verification, a direct observation of the fracture surfaces on the curved compact tension specimens was made on the CCT specimens experiencing either 0.8 to 1.0 mm load line displacement or various loads from $50\%\;to\;80\%$ of the maximum peak load, or $P_{max}$. The DCPD method is concluded to be more precise in determining the crack initiation and fracture toughness, J in Zr-2.5Nb CCT specimens than the UC method.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2010.05a
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• pp.1175-1176
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• 2010

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.455-463
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• 2003

The aim of this study is to investigate the hydrogen embrittlement of Zr-2.5Nb CANDU pressure tube at room temperature. The transverse tensile and fracture toughness tests were performed at various hydrogen concentrations using transverse tensile specimens and CCT (curved compact tension) specimens. These specimens were directly machined from the pressure tube retaining original curvatures. Based on the results of these tests. the hydrogen embrittlement phenomenon was clearly observed and fracture toughness parameters of Zr-2.5Nb pressure tube materials such as, $K_{J(0.2)}$.$J_{ML}$.dJ/da, were dramatically decreased with the increasement of the hydrogen concentration. From microscopic observation by SEM and TEM, it was also revealed that various shapes dimples, fissures and quasi-cleavage were found at the hydrogen-absorbed materials with hydrides while traditional shape dimples were generally located at the as-received materials Through the comparison of the hydride and fissure lengths with the hydrogen concentration the new evaluation method of hydrogen embrittlement was suggested.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.93-98
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• 2000

Unpredictable failures can occur due to the DHC (delayed hydride cracking) or the degradation of fracture toughness by hydride embrittlement in CANDU pressure tube which can result from the absorption of hydrogen or deuterium in the high temperature coolant. To investigate the hydride embrittlement of CANDU Zr-2.5Nb pressure tube, the transverse tensile test and the fracture toughness test were performed from room temperature to $300^{\circ}C$ using three different specimens which have an AR (As Received), 100, and 200 ppm hydrogen. As the amount of absorbed hydrogen was increased, the transverse yield strength and the ultimate tensile strength were also increased. In addition, as the test temperature became higher they were decreased linearly. While, at room temperature, the hydrogenbsorbed specimens represented the embrittlement which resulted in sudden decreasing of fracture toughness, the fracture characteristics became ductile such as AR specimen at high temperatures. Through the observation of fracture surface using SEM, it was found that the stress state of mixed mode could be related to the fissure which was believed to decrease the global fracture toughness.