In situ observation of γ-ZrH formation by X-ray diffraction

We report on the measurement of the formation of γ-ZrH during in situ gaseous charging. The measurements were undertaken using high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Experimental observation shows that γ-ZrH can form at 180 °C from a mixture of α+δ while dehydrogenating at slow cooling rates. The observation is further supported by ex situ laboratory X-ray diffraction on deuterated Zr powder that has undergone a similar heat-treatment cycle. The crystal structure of γ-ZrH refinement agrees with the reported P42/n structure found in the literature.