Current Trends in the Use of Zirconium Alloys

The development of zirconium and its alloys for use in nuclear reactors began in the United States in 1948 when it was found that hafnium-free zirconium had a much lower neutron-absorption cross-section than had previously been suspected. Structural materials for use in water cooled Power Reactors must possess a combination capture cross-section. Zirconium alloys alone have the required combination of these. It will be fruitful to trace very briefly, the history of development of the zirconium alloys.