Microstructure-Dependent Creep Mechanisms in Heat-Treated CZ1 Zr Alloy at 380 °C

This study investigates the stress-dependent creep behavior of a CZ1 Zr alloy exhibiting two distinct microstructural states induced by different annealing treatments. Creep tests were conducted at 380 °C under applied stresses of 140 MPa and 260 MPa. CZ1-2 (fully recrystallized), characterized by coarse grains and low dislocation density, demonstrated superior creep resistance under low stress due to suppressed dislocation activity and diffusion-dominated deformation. Stress exponent analysis revealed <i>n</i> = 5 for CZ1-1 (partially recrystallized) and <i>n</i> = 10 for CZ1-2, confirming a mechanism transition from steady-state dislocation climb to power-law breakdown. TEM characterization provided direct evidence of evolving dislocation networks, stacking faults, and second-phase particle redistribution. These findings underscore the critical role of microstructural conditioning in governing creep pathways and provide a mechanistic basis for tailoring Zr alloys to stress-specific service environments in advanced nuclear applications.