Ultrasonic evaluation of hydrogen concentration and hydride properties in zirconium alloys

Abstract

Various ultrasonic techniques and transducers, used for CANDU reactor pressure tube inspection to detect areas with increased hydrogen concentration, estimate its level, and determine the hydride platelet features (dimensions, orientation, and spacing), are described and analyzed. Obtained results (theoretical and experimental) have demonstrated that using ultrasound, it is quite possible to perform the inspection to detect the tube areas with increased hydrogen concentration and estimate the hydride properties.