ZIRCONIUM-NIOBIUM BINARY ALLOYS FOR BOILING WATER REACTOR SERVICE. PART I. CORROSION RESISTANCE

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1963 · Journal of Nuclear Materials (Netherlands)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3115(63)90169-7· OSTI ID:4679355

Klepfer, H H

The effects of heat treatment, corrosion temperature, and corrosion environment on the corrosion performance of sponge base Zr--Nb binary alloys containing up to 4.2 wt% Nb were studied. Beta treatments were found detrimental to corrosion resistance. Maximum corrosion resistance was found in samples heat treated to produce the equilibrium Nb content in the matrix at the test temperature. Two-phase alloys given the optimum heat treatment showed higher corrosion rates than Zircaloy-2 at 288, 360, and 400 deg C in static water and steam. At 482 deg C the Nb binaries performed better than Zircaloy-2. The alloys were very sensitive to N contamination in a simulated boiling water reactor environment at 288 deg C. At higher test temperatures N contents as high as 170 ppm did not adversely affect corrosion resistance. The sensitivity to heat treatment and to N contamination makes application in boiling water reactor environments doubtful. (auth)

• Research Organization: General Electric Co., Pleasanton, Calif.
• NSA Number: NSA-17-032524
• OSTI ID: 4679355
• Journal Information: Journal of Nuclear Materials (Netherlands), Journal Name: Journal of Nuclear Materials (Netherlands) Vol. Vol: 9; ISSN JNUMA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BOILING
CORROSION
HEAT TREATMENTS
METALS, CERAMICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS
NIOBIUM ALLOYS
NITROGEN
REACTION KINETICS
REACTORS
SENSITIVITY
TEMPERATURE
WATER COOLANT
ZIRCONIUM ALLOYS