Currently used methods for constructing texture complete direct pole figure (CDPF) based on the results of X-ray diffractometric measurements were considered with respect to the products of Zr-based alloys and, in particular, used in a nuclear reactor cladding tubes, for which the accuracy of determination of integral texture parameters is of the especial importance. The main attention was devoted to technical issues which are solved by means of computer processing of large arrays of obtained experimental data. Among considered questions there are amendments of the defocusing, techniques for constructing of complete direct pole figures and determination of integral textural parameters. The methods of reconstruction of complete direct pole figures by partial direct pole figures recorded up to tilt angles of sample ψ=70-80: the method of extrapolation of data to an uninvestigated region of the stereographic projection, and the method of "sewing" of partial pole figures measured for three mutually perpendicular plane sections of the product. The limits of applicability of these methods, depending on the shape of the test product and the degree of inhomogeneity of the layer-by-layer texture, were revealed. On the basis of a large number of experimental data, the accuracy of the integral parameters used for calculation of the physical and mechanical properties of metals with a hexagonal crystal structure was found to be equal to 0.02, when taking into account the texture heterogeneity of regular products from Zr-based alloys.

Features of processes of recrystallization in rolled single crystals and polycrystals of zirconium and alloy Zr-1% Nb have been analyzed. To estimate the crystallographic texture and structural state

Integral texture Kearns parameters, or f-parameters, are the one of the characteristics that is controlled during the tube production of Zr-based alloys now. These parameters define the anisotropy of physical and mechanical properties of the products. f-parameters are the sum of effective fractions of basal normals aligned in a selected sample direction. However, so far there is no standardized procedure for their calculation. The widespread availability of X-ray diffractometers, the high statistical significance of the results and the software development for texture analysis causes the optimality of the f-parameters determination by complete pole figures (0001) calculated through orientation distribution function (ODF). Accuracy analysis of the ODF extraction by several incomplete pole figures using LaboTex software was carried out in this paper. The comparison of the calculated data was performed with experimental complete pole figures (0001) obtained by «sewing» method. Various texture types, different number and combinations of incomplete pole figures were considered. For this purpose, 6 incomplete pole figures - - were registered for each of three mutually perpendicular surfaces of the CANDU-tube sample. By comparison of experimental and calculated by ODF complete pole figures as well as f-parameters, procedures of their determination were optimized for products from Zr-based alloys.

Based on the data of synchrotron and electron microscopic studies of deformed and annealed Russian zirconium alloys, the possibility of analyzing the structural-phase state and crystallographic texture of individual phases has been demonstrated. A qualitative and quantitative phase analysis of deformed and annealed tubes made of Zr-Nb-(Sn-Fe-O) alloys was carried out using diffraction patterns obtained with synchrotron radiation. The main α-Zr phase and the following additional phases: β-Nb, β-Zr, and the Laves phase (intermetallic compound Zr(Nb,${\mathrm{Fe})}_2$), were found in the alloys. According to the results of texture analysis of all phases present in the alloy, the mechanisms of plastic deformation, recrystallization, and phase transformations of the main and additional phases were established. It is shown that during plastic deformation of the Zr-1%Nb alloy, a dynamic phase transformation β-Nb→α-Zr→β-Zr is observed. It is established that during recrystallization, larger grains of α-Zr are misoriented relative to the deformed matrix by rotating the prismatic axes around the basal axes by 30°, while fine grains are improved by polygonization and maintain the orientation of the deformed matrix. Processes for changing the orientation of grains of additional phases as a result of high-temperature annealing are also considered.

The purpose of this research was to analyze the change in residual stresses in the surface layer of steel samples taking into account the technological heredity effect on the value and sign of residual stresses. An installation of combined processing was developed. Combined processing consists of sequentially performing electromechanical processing and diamond smoothing. All areas of the samples were studied—after machining (i.e., in the initial state), after electromechanical processing, and after diamond smoothing. The research shows that the sign and value of residual stresses are significantly affected by the combined processing modes. The main parameters of the surface layer are formed at the final stage of the combined processing–diamond smoothing. This paper gives recommendations on the use of combined processing for power plant parts.

This research looked at specimens made of austenitic steel 316L by Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and designed for tensile testing in different directions (in relation to the growth direction during printing). A significant anisotropy of mechanical properties was found as a result of mechanical testing: anisotropy of the yield strength is 1.13; tensile strength — 1.10; elongation — 1.84. X-ray analysis of the texture helped understand how the crystallographic texture of the specimens changed under elongation in different directions. On the basis of strain-induced re-orientation of grains it was established that the active deformation mechanism included crystallographic slip of type {111}. Depending on the orientation of stress to the internal crystallographic axes, different texture components form as a result of elongation leading to the observed anisotropy of mechanical properties. To understand how changes in the crystallographic texture influence the mechanical properties of SLM products, a model has been developed for simulating anisotropy of mechanical properties on the basis of texture analysis data using DAMASK software. The input data include grain orientation, active deformation mechanism and parameters of the phenomenological law describing hardening of slip systems. A good correlation was found between the simulation data and the results of elongation obtained for experimental specimens printed at different orientation to the growth direction, in terms of both the yield strength anisotropy and the strain-induced changes in the crystallographic texture. Thus, knowing the difference in the crystallographic texture, the results of mechanical testing of standard shape specimens can be used to define the properties of specimens of a different shape.