Influence of hydrogen on the properties of Zr-1%Nb alloy modified by a pulsed electron beam

The influence of hydrogen and a pulsed electron beam on the properties of Zr-1%Nb alloy is studied. It is shown that electron beam processing results in the formation of martensite with an intricate morphology in the subsurface layer of the alloy. It is found that the amount of hydrogen penetrating into the modified alloy is twice as low as in the as-prepared material. In addition, the modified alloy is more stable against the hydrogen action.