Intergranular stresses in ZIRCALOY-2

The development of the understanding of the intergranular stresses in ZIRCALOY-2 is reviewed. Neutron diffraction measurements of the intergranular strains were made on rod-textured material and highly textured plate. The elastoplastic self-consistent (EPSC) model provides a sound theoretical foundation for our understanding of the behavior. The strain response of ZIRCALOY-2 to applied tensile stress is well described for two very different textures with the same slip and hardening parameters. It is almost certain that tensile twinning is the explanation for the response to compressive stress and rolling that is, as yet, incompletely understood.