THE HIGH TEMPERATURE OXIDATION OF BERYLLIUM. PART IV. IN WATER VAPOUR AND IN MOIST OXYGEN

Journal Article · Wed Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1961 · J. Nuclear Materials

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3115(61)90006-X· OSTI ID:4034838

Aylmore, D W; Gregg, S J; Jepson, W B

The kinetics of the oxidation of electrolytic flake beryllium both in water vapor (1.2 cm pressure) and in moist oxygen (10 cm total pressure; partial pressure of water, 1.2 cm) have been investigated at temperatures in the range 500 deg to 750 deg C; there was no significant difference between oxidation in these two gases. At temperatures up to and including 600 deg C the oxidation follows the same course as in dry oxygen, the rate continuously decreasing with time to reach a very small value after about 100 h. At 650 deg C and above, the oxidation is no longer protective and breakaway takesplace, both the weight gain and the time at which breakaway occurs becoming less with increasing temperature. Metallographic examination of partially oxidized samples shows that the reaction after breakaway takes the form of attack down the particle boundaries giving rise to an interpenetrating network of oxide and metal. The effect of an oxide layer pre-formed in dry oxygen is shown to re tard but not prevent breakaway on subsequent exposure to water vapor. (auth)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Exeter, Eng.
• NSA Number: NSA-15-015534
• OSTI ID: 4034838
• Journal Information: J. Nuclear Materials, Journal Name: J. Nuclear Materials Vol. Vol: 3
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BERYLLIUM
CHEMISTRY
HIGH TEMPERATURE
METALLOGRAPHY
OXIDATION
OXIDES
OXYGEN
PRESSURE
REACTION KINETICS
VAPORS
WATER