The analysis of hydrides in hydrogen–zirconium alloys cooled from the α-zirconium phase field

An X-ray powder diffraction method is described which can determine the phases present in hydrogen–zirconium alloys containing ≥ 100 p.p.m. hydrogen. The method is applied to show that γ- and δ-hydrides are formed when hydrogen–zirconium alloys are cooled from the α-phase field. It is shown that quenching favours the formation of the γ phase.