Microstructure and TextureEvolution During the Annealingof Cold‐worked Zr‐1 wt%Nb

The texture changes in tube reduced (60%) and stress relieved Zr-1 wt%Nb nuclear fuel sheathing onannealing at temperatures from 300–1100℃ for 10 4 seconds have been measured using an X-rayinverse pole figure technique. These changes in texture are then related to changes in both mechanicalanisotropy as determined using Knoop microhardness measurements and microstructure as seen usingoptical metallography. Changes in texture and anisotropy arise both from recrystallization and phasechanges, with major texture changes only occurring at temperatures where there is a phasetransformation to β Zr .