Deformation Behavior and J-Integral of Macroscopic Hydride Platelet Clusters in Hydrided Zr-2.5Nb Pressure Tube Materials Under Plane Strain Conditions

The mechanical behavior and J-integral of macroscopic hydride platelet clusters in hydrided Zr-2.5Nb pressure tube materials are investigated by two-dimensional finite element analyses with cohesive zone model under plane strain conditions. The hydride platelets are assumed to be separated at the early stage of the loading and are treated as cracks. The cohesive zone model with a trapezoidal traction-separation law is adopted. The macroscopic...