Diffusion of Oxygen in Zirconium and Its Relation to Oxidation and Corrosion

Journal Article · Sun Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1958 · Journal of the Electrochemical Society

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1149/1.2428837· OSTI ID:4327263

Pemsler, J. Paul

The diffusion of oxygen in zinonium and dilute zirconium alloys has been studied in the temperature rsmge of 400° to 585°C by observing the rates of dissolution of anodically deposited interference oxide films. The diffusion coefficient of oxygen in zirconium depends on the grain orientation and varies by a factor of two among different orientations. Macroscopically observed average values obey the equation D(cm ₂/sec) = 9.4 exp [(-51,780±220)/RT], where the activation energy for the diffusion of oxygen in zirconium is 51.78 kcal/mole. No macroscopic differences were observed in the diffusion coefficients of the various dilute alloys. Oxidation and corrosion rates have been observed to have an orientation dependence similar to that observed in the diffusion study. The mechanism of oxidation and corrosion is discussed in terms of diffusion of oxygen and adherence of oxide films.

• Research Organization: Nuclear Metals, Inc., Cambridge, Mass.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-12-009813
• OSTI ID: 4327263
• Journal Information: Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Journal Name: Journal of the Electrochemical Society Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 105; ISSN 0013-4651; ISSN JESOAN
• Publisher: The Electrochemical Society
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ACTIVATION
CORROSION
DIFFUSION
ENERGY
FILMS
MATHEMATICS
OXIDATION
OXYGEN
REACTION KINETICS
SOLUBILITY
TEMPERATURE
ZIRCONIUM
ZIRCONIUM ALLOYS
ZIRCONIUM OXIDES