3D simulation of hydride-assisted crack propagation in zircaloy-4 using XFEM. (20th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Suman, Siddharth; Khan, Mohd. Kaleem; Pathak, Manabendra; Singh, R.N.
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 42:Number 29(2017)
• Page Start: 18668
• Page End: 18673
• Publication Date: 2017-07-20
• Subjects: Hydride -- Crack -- Zircaloy -- XFEM -- Hydrogen -- Embrittlement; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.04.163
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Influence of hydride precipitated at the tip of the crack on crack propagation in zircaloy-4 is numerically investigated using the extended finite element method (XFEM). Numerical simulation is performed on compact tension specimen to understand the effects of crack and hydride lengths on crack propagation in terms of stress intensity factor and J-integral. The values of stress intensity factor and J-integral indicate that hydride induces the crack instability. The stress intensity factor decreases with the precipitation of brittle hydride phase at the crack tip, resulting in hydride-assisted crack propagation. A comparison of crack propagation behaviour with different hydride lengths is also presented. The crack remains stable in the absence of the hydride while it propagates when hydride is considered at its tip for the same applied load. The crack arrests only after reaching to the zircaloy metal matrix causing complete fracture of hydride. Highlights: Role of crack-tip hydride on fracture parameters and crack propagation. Compact tension model is investigated using XFEM. Crack-tip hydride decreases the fracture toughness significantly.