The Effect of Cold Rolling on Mechanical Properties of Zircaloy-4

Abstract

In this study, Zircaloy-4 rods are heat treated and cold rolled to different (15%, 30%, 45%, 60%, and 75%) reduction ratios to determine the effect of heat treatment and cold rolling on micro and nano scale mechanical properties of Zircaloy-4. Micro scale mechanical properties are investigated by micro Vickers hardness tester and nano scale mechanical properties are studied by universal mechanical tester (UMT). Fracture surfaces of samples are illustrated by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Microstructure of samples are evaluated by optical microscope. It is found that hardness increased with increasing cold rolling reduction ratio both in micro and nano scale. Nano scale measurements showed that the elastic modulus is increased with increasing reduction ratio. Increase in hardness and elastic modulus altered the fracture from ductile to brittle. Fracture mode for samples are determined as mixed mode.  

Keywords

• Zircaloy-4,UMT,cold rolling,mechanical properties

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