Numerical modeling of cracking behavior in Cr coating for ATF cladding under three-point bending

Abstract In-situ three-point bending tests and finite element modeling based on the cohesive zone model were developed to study stress evolution cracking behavior of Cr coated Zr-4 alloy for accident tolerant fuel claddings. The initiation propagation micro-cracks captured by in-situ observation predicted numerical simulation. results showed that vertical cracks first initiated from coating surface propagated Cr/Zr4 interface. Under larger strain, interfacial began initiate crack tips driven large local concentration.