High temperature oxidation and room temperature axial strength of pre-oxidized zircaloy-4 cladding after a simulated LOCA

The influence of the nuclear fuel cladding pre-oxidation on post-LOCA quench resistance was experimentally studied and then modeled. Adopting a separate effect approach, quenched high temperature oxidized samples were axially loaded in mechanical device. pre-existing oxide layer shows complex that interpreted modeled using simple approach reproducing main observed phenomena. A new correlation established to evaluate oxygen enriched ?-phase thickness zirconia growth is analyzed These models correlations implemented failure prediction model finally compared experimental results.