Mechanical Microscopy of Nuclear Materials - Hydrides in Zirconium

Mechanical microscopy of nuclear materials, such as hydrides at interfaces, is crucial for understanding the mechanical behavior of nuclear fuel cladding alloys. Hydrides in zirconium alloys can cause embrittlement and cracking, which can lead to fuel rod failures in nuclear reactors. Nanoindentation mapping is a valuable technique that provides information about the hardness and elastic modulus of the material at different points, including at the interface between the liner and substrate. This technique can be used to identify the presence an...