Structure Effect on the Diffusion and Accumulation of Hydrogen in the Zr–1Nb Alloy

Comparative studies of the diffusion and accumulation of hydrogen in the Zr–1 wt.% Nb alloy in the finegrained and ultrafine-grained states during electrolytic saturation were carried out by the membrane method. The formation of an ultrafine-grained structure is established to lead to a decrease in the effective diffusion coefficient and the rate of hydrogen accumulation in the bulk of the alloy. The influence of the dislocation density and the length of grain boundaries on the effective diffusion coefficient of hydrogen and the ability of the alloy to accumulate hydrogen in the bulk are considered.