The following report is the third Quarterly Report in a series whose investigative purpose is to determine the extent to which zirconium and zirconium alloys exhibit delayed failure as caused by a combination of absorbed hydrogen and applied stress.

Abstract: "The purpose of this investigation is to determine the extent to which zirconium and zirconium alloys exhibit delayed failure (static fatigue) as caused by a combination of absorbed hydrogen and applied stress. Both notched and unnotched specimens of unalloyed zirconium and Zircaloy-2 have been hydrogenated to 200 ppm by means of a modified Sieverts apparatus; specimens were evaluated at room temperature. Thus far, no time-dependent fracture has been observed which can be attributed to the delayed failure phenomenon; it appears that these materials are relatively insensitive to static fatigue. The effects of grain size, temperature, cold deformation, and superheated water and steam corrosion on susceptibility to delayed failure are being determined."

Abstract: "The purpose of this investigation is to determine the extent to which zirconium exhibits delayed failure (static fatigue) as caused by a combination of absorbed hydrogen and applied stress. Both notched and unnotched specimens of unalloyed zirconium and Zircaloy-2 are being initially hydrogenated to 200 ppm by means of a modified Sieverts apparatus, and delayed failure studies are proceeding at room-temperature. Thus far only preliminary data on unnotched, unalloyed zirconium are available; at the 200 ppm hydrogen level, this material appears to be relatively insensitive to delayed failure at room-temperature."