[en] The LOCA experiment on the second rod (IFA-650.2) a fresh, low-tin Zr-4, pressurised PWR rod was carried out in May 2004. The main objective was to produce ballooning, to determine the time to burst and to assess the material oxidation and hydriding kinetics. The rod pressure at hot conditions and peak PCT were 70 bar and 1050 C, respectively. To document the effect of the LOCA testing on the cladding, rod 2 was subjected in PIE to visual inspection, profilometry and metallography. On visual inspection the clad shows a typical balloon. In the region of max ballooning the clad shows a 35 mm long, < 20 mm burst opening. In the balloon region the outer clad diameter increased by <35% and locally the wall thickness reduction is >55%. The entire rod is covered with a black oxide layer. Below and above the split opening the continuous oxide layer was 40 to 50μm both on water and fuel side of the clad. At the locations of the upper and lower cladding thermocouples the oxide thickness was in the range 24-27 μm. Widmanstaetten structure is seen in the bulk of the clad and confirms the high temperature experienced. A some 40μm wide, hard and brittle zone with oxygen rich globular α-grains is found both at the outer and the inner edge of the clad in the balloon region. The zone is widest near the axial split (crack). In the clad few, arbitrary oriented hydride platelets are observed in the balloon area. (Author)