Phase field simulation of hydride precipitation in zirconium

A phase field model was developed to simulate the nucleation and growth process of γ-hydride precipitation in zirconium. In this model, the long range order parameters are used to describe the orientation difference of hydride, and the conserved parameter represents the difference of hydrogen in precipitations and matrix. By solving the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau equations for the structural variables and Cahn-Hilliard equations for the concentration variable, the simulation results show that the external applied stress plays an important role in the morphological evolution of hydride precipitation. Meanwhile, the distribution of hydride particles has significant influence on the nucleation and propagation of micro-cracks in zirconium matrix.