Effect of Heat Treatment in Oxygen-Containing Medium on Fatigue Life of Zirconium Alloy

Abstract

The effect of heat treatment in oxygen-containing medium on fatigue properties of zirconium alloy samples was shown. This gas treatment improved fatigue life in pure bending and cyclic tensile testing. An increase in fatigue life was explained by the formation of a hardened near-surface layer. According to the data of fractographic studies of destroyed samples, it was found that treatment in an oxygen-containing medium contributes to the formation of a structure with a higher energy intensity of destruction.

Keywords

• zirconium alloy
• heat treatment
• oxygen-containing medium
• hardened layers
• fatigue life
• pure bending
• cyclic tensile testing