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U.S. Department of Energy
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DEVELOPMENT OF NIOBIUM-BASE ALLOYS FOR USE IN A NUCLEAR SUPERHEATER. Quarterly Progress Report for October-December 1963

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4127740

Niobium-base alloys resistant to 540 to 700 deg C steam are evaluated. Chromium, titanium, and vanadium in combinations are found to improve the corrosion resistance, while iron, molybdenum, and zirconium additions are detrimental. Cold work improves the corrosion resistance. Exposure of alloys containing chromium, titanium, and vanadium continued through 266 and 161 days for similar alloys. Alloys containing 18 to 24 at. % titanium, 12 to 18 at. % vanadium, and 9 to 12 at.% chromium show rather outstanding corrosion resistance to 540 deg C steam. A niobium--21 at.% titanium-- 12 at.% vanadium--9 at.% chromium alloy exhibits a weight gain of only 290 mg per dm/sup 2/ after 266 days of exposure. This alloy, as well as a number of other promising alloys, is characterized by a shiny black adherent oxide corrosion film of a type usually associated with good corrosion resistance. After 28 days at 650 deg C one 24 at.% titanium--12 at.% vanadium-12 at.% chromium alloy shows a weight gain of 386 mg per dm/sup 2/ and has a shiny black oxide coating. (auth)

Research Organization:
Battelle Memorial Inst., Columbus, Ohio
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-92
NSA Number:
NSA-18-008747
OSTI ID:
4127740
Report Number(s):
BMI-X-10071; EURAEC-938
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English