Corrosion of some Zr alloys under radiation in moist CO$sub 2$--air mixtures

Journal Article · Sat Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1973 · J. Nucl. Mater., v. 49, no. 2, pp. 189-196

OSTI ID:4338152

Asher, R C; Davies, D; Kirstein, T B.A.

In-reactor experiments are reponted in which Zircaloy-2 and Zr--21/2 wt% Nh alloys were exposed to moist carbon dioxideair mixtures at 300'C for periods up to approximately 800 days. For Zircaloy2, the corrosion was significantly enhanced by the reactor radiation, but the percentage hydrogen pickup was reduced. For Zr--21/2 wt% Nb alloy the effect of radiation on the corrosion rate ranged from a slight suppression to a significant enhancement, depending on the metallurgical condition of the alloy, but there appeared to be no effect on the percentage hydrogen pickup. The effect of improving the purity of the corrodent was also studied in the absence of radiation. Results are used to predict that the corrosion and hydrogen pickup of typical reactor pressure tubes exposed to moist carbon dioxide --air mixtures are unlikely to cause a significant deterioration of their mechanical properties. (12 figures) (auth)

• Research Organization: Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, Eng.
• NSA Number: NSA-29-018855
• OSTI ID: 4338152
• Journal Information: J. Nucl. Mater., v. 49, no. 2, pp. 189-196, Journal Name: J. Nucl. Mater., v. 49, no. 2, pp. 189-196; ISSN JNUMA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ADSORPTION
BINARY MIXTURES
HYDROGEN
N50210* --Metals
Ceramics
& Other Materials--Metals & Alloys--Corrosion & Erosion & Surface Phenomena
N50240 --Metals
Ceramics
& Other Materials--Metals & Alloys--Radiation Effects
NIOBIUM ALLOYS-- ZIRCONIUM BASE ALLOYS
PRESSURE TUBES ZIRCALOY 2