Microstructural Characterization of Zr-2.5Nb Alloy by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy. Semiautomatic Method

The Embalse nuclear power station (CNE) is a CANada Deuterium Uranium (CANDU) reactor. The CANDU reactor pressure tubes are made of a Zr-2.5Nb alloy. This alloy has a biphasic structure αZr+βNb, being the α-Zr phase the majority phase. One of the acceptance criteria for the Zr-2.5Nb alloy pressure tubes of the CNE is based on the α-Zr phase width. This measure is carried out by scanning electron microscopy and manually measured by software. Confirmation of these measures is performed by transmission electron microscopy. This paper aims to develop and adjust a semiautomatic method for measuring the α-Zr phase width, in order to minimize the influence of the human factor.