Plastic deformation of δ-zirconium hydride during micropillar compression

The deformation of δ-zirconium hydrides, grown on a Zr2.5Nb alloy was analyzed using compression of micropillars. Based on the observed stress-strain curves obtained in the compression tests, plastic deformation was observed in the material. Transmission electron microscopy was carried out using focused-ion beam cross-section analysis of the as-deformed δ-zirconium hydride micropillar; this showed the presence of dislocations that would be expected based on the common {111}<110> FCC slip system.