Effect of Recrystallization on the Forming Resistance of the Alloy E635 Elements of Fuel Assemblies

The effect of the degree of recrystallization on the strength, the plastic properties, and the creep resistance under compression of zirconium alloy E635 (Zr–Nb–Sn–Fe system) pipes in the initial state (after annealing at various temperatures) and after neutron irradiation in a BOR-60 research reactor during eight microcampaigns (fast neutron fluence is ≈3 × 10 22 cm –2 ) is studied. In contrast to the strength and plastic properties, the resistance of the pipes to thermal and radiation-thermal creep is shown to depend on the degree of recrystallization of the alloy.