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Title: Review of the oxidation rate of zirconium alloys.

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/876346· OSTI ID:876346
 [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA
  2. Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA
  3. Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA

The oxidation of zirconium alloys is one of the most studied processes in the nuclear industry. The purpose of this report is to provide in a concise form a review of the oxidation process of zirconium alloys in the moderate temperature regime. In the initial ''pre-transition'' phase, the surface oxide is dense and protective. After the oxide layer has grown to a thickness of 2 to 3 {micro}m's, the oxidation process enters the ''post-transition'' phase where the density of the layer decreases and becomes less protective. A compilation of relevant data suggests a single expression can be used to describe the post-transition oxidation rate of most zirconium alloys during exposure to oxygen, air, or water vapor. That expression is: Oxidation Rate = 13.9 g/(cm{sup 2}-s-atm{sup -1/6}) exp(-1.47 eV/kT) x P{sup 1/6} (atm{sup 1/6}).

Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
876346
Report Number(s):
SAND2005-6006; TRN: US200606%%176
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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