“…Nuclear reactor technologies are progressing towards fuel conservation, reduced fuel cycle costs, and enhanced reactor safety and reliability. Consequently, higher performance characteristics are demanded for Zr alloys used as fuel rod cladding materials in radiation zones [ 3 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. Ongoing research into the development of Zr alloys and optimization of their microstructure addresses several key challenges: controlling radiation growth [ 4 , 16 ], increasing corrosion resistance [ 2 , 3 , 6 , 7 ], and reducing hydrogen absorption [ 2 , 3 ].…”