User:MattRAnalyst/sandbox

Plastic deformation, heating, and other environmental conditions can induce significant changes in textures. <> Development of unfavorable textures during fabrication or use can create weaknesses or failures whose orientations correlate with the texture of the material, just as some textiles tend to tear along particular weave directions. Changes in microscopic texture can significantly alter macroscopic properties such as strength of materials, corrosion resistance, weldability ***, deformation behavior, resistance to radiation damage < Zirconium in the nuclear industry: thirteenth international symposium By Gerry D. Moan, ASTM Committee B-10 on Reactive and Refractory Metals and Alloys, pp. 277, 685  >, and magnetic susceptibility . . Consequently, texture is an important consideration in the fabrication and performance of some materials in service. Zircaloys used as nuclear fuel rod cladding material in nuclear reactors present important examples of how textures develop and play critical roles in the performance of engineered components. <> During fabrication of cladding, zircaloy might be rolled into sheets, extruded into tubes , and/ or welded to seal in uranium fuel pellets.  These fabrication processes can significantly influence texture of the final product. When in use in reactors and during subsequent storage of spent fuels, radiation damage and heat alter cladding microstuctures and properties in ways largely determined by their textures. < Zirconium in the nuclear industry: thirteenth international symposium By Gerry D. Moan, ASTM Committee B-10 on Reactive and Refractory Metals and Alloys, pp. 277, 685> Since fuel rod reactions and failures are believed to lead to increase the likelihood of release of radiation into the environments ( as occurred at Chernobyl and appears to have occurred at Fukushima), understanding weaknesses in cladding due to texture is critical to safe operation of reactors<>. The roles of texture in the performance of zircaloy and other materials are not fully understood< Zirconium in the nuclear industry: thirteenth international symposium By Gerry D. Moan, ASTM Committee B-10 on Reactive and Refractory Metals and Alloys, pp. 277, 685> . Fabrication and environmental effects on texture development are confounded with phase composition and other microstructural features in complex ways. While it is known that radiation damage is strongly influenced by texture, understanding these texture effects on materials in operating nuclear reactors is difficult due to the harsh radiation environment and long times of interest in operation and storage, and the difficulties and expense of monitoring microstructure and texture in those environments and long time frames< Nuclear Fuel Behaviour in Loss-of-coolant Accident (LOCA) Conditions. State-of-the-art Report. OECD 2009, NEA No. 6846. https://www.oecd-nea.org/nsd/reports/2009/nea6846_LOCA.pdf>. Therefore, computer modeling that includes expected textures of materials is relied upon to make projections about component performance during operation, accidents, and storage of nuclear components.