International Scientific Journals
of Scientific Technical Union of Mechanical Engineering "Industry 4.0"

The structure and mechanical properties of the oxide films formed on zirconium alloys Zr – 1% Nb, Zr – 2,5% Nb upon autoclave tests at a temperature of 360^oC and pressure of 18,6 MPa for 600 days were studied. Basic methodological approaches to the study of the structure and properties of thin oxide films were shown. The 10-15 µm thick oxide films of different structural types were shown to be formed on the specimens: the structures with predominately elongated grains and the layered structures. The structure of the oxide films subjected to loading determines both the crack formation stress and the character of fracture.