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Title: CORROSION OF STAINLESS STEEL IN HNO$sub 3$-HF SOLUTIONS

Abstract

Studies were made on the safe handling of HHO/sub 3/-HF solutions in 304 L and 309SCb stainless-steel equipment under carefully controlled conditions. The corrosion behavior of both wrought and welded 304L and 309SCb was investigated in various HNO/sub 3/--HF solutions, ranging in HNO/sub 3/ concentration from 0 to 10.0 M and HF concentration from 0.01 to 1.5 M, at temperatures from 24 deg C to the boiling point. (auth)

Authors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Du Pont de Nemours (E.I.) & Co. Savannah River Lab., Aiken, S.C.
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
4123852
Report Number(s):
DP-486
NSA Number:
NSA-15-000562
DOE Contract Number:
AT(07-2)-1
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-61
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
METALS, CERAMICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS; CORROSION; HYDROFLUORIC ACID; MATERIALS TESTING; NITRIC ACID; SOLUTIONS; STAINLESS STEELS; TEMPERATURE

Citation Formats

Kranzlein, P.M.. CORROSION OF STAINLESS STEEL IN HNO$sub 3$-HF SOLUTIONS. United States: N. p., 1960. Web. doi:10.2172/4123852.
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Kranzlein, P.M.. CORROSION OF STAINLESS STEEL IN HNO$sub 3$-HF SOLUTIONS. United States. doi:10.2172/4123852.
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Kranzlein, P.M.. Fri . "CORROSION OF STAINLESS STEEL IN HNO$sub 3$-HF SOLUTIONS". United States. doi:10.2172/4123852. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/4123852.
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@article{osti_4123852,
title = {CORROSION OF STAINLESS STEEL IN HNO$sub 3$-HF SOLUTIONS},
author = {Kranzlein, P.M.},
abstractNote = {Studies were made on the safe handling of HHO/sub 3/-HF solutions in 304 L and 309SCb stainless-steel equipment under carefully controlled conditions. The corrosion behavior of both wrought and welded 304L and 309SCb was investigated in various HNO/sub 3/--HF solutions, ranging in HNO/sub 3/ concentration from 0 to 10.0 M and HF concentration from 0.01 to 1.5 M, at temperatures from 24 deg C to the boiling point. (auth)},
doi = {10.2172/4123852},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1960},
month = {Fri Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1960}
}
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Technical Report:
View Technical Report (6.79 MB)
DOI:  10.2172/4123852
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  • The co-processing of aluminum and zirconium clad fuel elements, for the recovery of /sup 235/U, utilizes highly corrosive solutions containing both nitrates and fluorides. These solutions may contact Type 304 stainless steel alloyed with boron or gadolinium for criticality safety. Corrosion tests, utilizing synthetic process solutions typical of plant operation, were conducted on four stainless steel alloys to determine any differences in corrosion due to the neutron absorbers alloyed 0.3 or 1.5 percent B, or 0.3 percent Gd into the steel. The use of zirconium as a chemically sacrificial metal and complexing with aluminum nitrate were also evaluated for corrosionmore » mitigating ability. Corrosion rates were found to vary directly with the amount of neutron absorbing alloy present but could be reduced by utilizing /sup 10/B for alloying instead of natural boron. Zirconium metal or aluminum nitrate for complexing HF solutions were not as effective for corrosion control as reducing the neutral poison content in the alloy. Corrosion varied directly with the amount of uncomplexed hydrofluoric acid present, and was greater in the liquid phase than in the vapor phase. Corrosion increased with temperature and solution concentration. 9 figs. (DLC)« less

  • To prevent corrosion of equipment by nitric acid hydrofluoric acid mixture, aluminum nitrate nonohydrate is added to tie up the fluoride, either as aluthinum fluoride or a tight complex. It was found that a solution of nitric acid, hydrofluoric acid, and aluthinum nitrate nonohydraie in which the hydrofluonic acid - aluminum nitrate nonohydrate molar ratio is 3, did not show serious corrosive attack on the 300-series stainless steel. (J.E.D.)

  • ;
    Nineteen alloys were evaluated as possible materials of construction for steam heating coils, the dissolver vessel, and the off-gas system of proposed facilities to process thorium and uranium fuels. Commercially available alloys were found that are satisfactory for all applications. With thorium fuel, which requires HNO/sub 3/-HF for dissolution, the best alloy for service at 130/sup 0/C when complexing agents for fluoride are used is Inconel 690; with no complexing agents at 130/sup 0/C, Inconel 671 is best. At 95/sup 0/C, six other alloys tested would be adequate: Haynes 25, Ferralium, Inconel 625, Type 304L stainless steel, Incoloy 825, andmore » Haynes 20 (in order of decreasing preference); based on composition, six untested alloys would also be adequate. The ions most effective in reducing fluoride corrosion were the complexing agents Zr/sup 4 +/ and Th/sup 4 +/; Al/sup 3 +/ was less effective. With uranium fuel, modestly priced Type 304L stainless steel is adequate. Corrosion will be most severe in HNO/sub 3/-HF used occasionally for flushing and in solutions of HNO/sub 3/ and corrosion products (ferric and dichromate ions). HF corrosion can be minimized by complexing the fluoride ion and by passivation of the steel with strong nitric acid. Corrosion caused by corrosion products can be minimized by operating at lower temperatures.« less

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