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Title: CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF CORROSION-RESISTANT ZIRCONIUM ALLOYS WITH HIGH STRENGTH FOR REACTOR CONSTRUCTION (in German)

Journal Article · · Z. Metallk.
OSTI ID:4750805

The corrosion resistance of zirconium alloys containing up to 5% niobium and up to 1% tin with additions of palladium, chromium, and molybdenum was investigated by exposing the specimens to 350 deg C water and 400 and 480 deg C steam. With an appropriate heat treatment the zirconiumniobium alloys have nearly the same corrosion resistance as Zircaloy-2. The best corrosion resistance was attained by annealing below the alpha - BETA transformation temperature of 590 deg C. With this heat treatment the corrosion resistance is independent of the niobium content. Annealing above 600 deg C causes the appearance of BETA /sub Zr/ which has an unfavorable effect on the corrosion behavior. The effect of the heat treatment is greater at the lower corrosion temperatures. Tin additions have a favorable influence in 350 deg C water, no effect in 400 deg C steam and an unfavorable influence in 480 deg C steam. Niobium-containing alloys pick up less corrosionproduced hydrogen than Zircaloy-2. Annealing in a hydrogen atmosphere results in a lower hydrogen pick up rate in the niobium-containing alloys than in Zircaloy-2. An alloy with 3% niobium and 1% tin has excellent corrosion resistance, hydrogen pick-up, and strength properties. Longterm creep tests show a clear superiority of the Zr3%Nb1%Sn alloy over the Zr2%Nb alloy and Zircaloy-2. (auth)

Research Organization:
Metallaboratorium der Metallgesellschaft A.G., Frankfurt am Main
NSA Number:
NSA-17-006581
OSTI ID:
4750805
Journal Information:
Z. Metallk., Vol. Vol: 53; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-63
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
German