Preferred hydride growth orientations on oxide-coated gadolinium surfaces

► The preferred hydride growth orientations on gadolinium metal coated by a thin oxide layer are presented. ► A preferred growth of the (1 0 0)h plane of the face centered cubic (FCC) GdH2 is observed for the hydride spots forming below the oxidation layer. ► A change to the (1 1 1)h plane of the cubic hydride dominates for the hydride's Growth Centers. ► The texture change is attributed to the surface normal compressive stress component exerted by the oxidation layer on the developing hydride.