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The fabrication of bulk delta-phase Zirconium Hydride (δ -ZrH x) using Zircaloy-4 as a precursor is herein reported. Characterization using electron-microscopy methods indicate that the fabricated material is of a single-phase. Sn-rich segregation zones have been observed to form as a direct result of the hydriding process. These findings experimentally validate previous ab initio calculations on the influence H incorporation in Zircaloy-4 constitutional elements such as Sn, Fe and Cr. The effect of hydriding and Sn segregation on pre-existing Zr(Fe,Cr) 2 Laves phases is also evaluated. Major implications on the development of moderators for use in microreactors within the nuclear industry are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]