The characteristics of zirconium hydrides formed by the electrochemical hydrogen charging method in Zr - Sn - Nb plate were investigated. The hydrides were observed to be mostly oriented along the rolling direction and were identified as fcc delta-ZrH2 by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope. The hydride orientation factors f(45) on the longitudinal or transverse section was smaller than 0.2, which was helpful to avoid the hydrogen embrittlement in the alloy. The habit plane of hydrides in the alloy was not unique and the numerous habit planes were those within 0 - 25 degrees and 70 - 90 degrees of the basal plane, which was corresponding to the texture of basal poles. The results have been discussed extensively. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.