A practical method to add hydrogen to zirconium alloys is described that works at low temperatures and short times. Fitness-For-Service predictions to support extended service of CANDU pressure tubes requires mechanical testing of tubes removed from service with end-of-life hydrogen concentrations and representative changes in alloy microstructure caused by irradiation. With the current method, (101 ± 5) wt.ppm hydrogen has been added homogeneously to Zircaloy sheets at (201.5 ± 4.4) °C within 22.3 h. These times and temperatures are well below values that would change any effects of irradiation in the alloy. The method has also been demonstrated with a Zr-2.5Nb micro-pressure tube.

描述了一种在低温和短时间内起作用的将氢添加到锆合金中的实用方法。为支持CANDU压力管的延长使用寿命而进行的适役性预测需要对使用寿命终止的氢气浓度进行机械测试，并对使用寿命终止的氢气浓度进行测试，并确定辐照引起的合金微观结构变化。使用目前的方法，已在（21.5 h）中于（21.5 h）在22.3 h内将（101±5）wt.ppm的氢气均匀地添加到Zircaloy板材中。这些时间和温度远低于会改变合金中任何辐照影响的值。Zr-2.5Nb微压管也证明了该方法。