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Effect of Five Impurities on the High Temperature Water And Steam Corrosion Resistance of Zircaloy-2

Journal Article · · Corrosion (Houston)

Five impurities (Al, Mn, N, Cu, and Si), each at two concentrations, were studied in relation to the effect they had on the high temperature water and steam corrosion of Zircaloy-2. Sixteen ingots were fabricated to strip, and 36 specimens were taken from each ingot for corrosion testing. To investigate the heat treatment-impurity element interaction, three heat treatment conditions were incorporated in the experimental design. The average of all the furnace-cooled coupons had a somewhat lower corrosion rate than the average air-cooled or as- received coupons, but the initial weight gains were higher. Results showed that aluminum is detrimental to the 750 deg F steam test and 680 deg water corrosion resistance of Zircaloy-2. Silicon at certain levels is beneficial in normalizing the corrosion weight gain of material furnace cooled. Manganese slightly increases the corrosion rate in 750 deg F steam and 680 deg F water, but is not considered significantly detrimental in the concentration ranges normally encountered. Copper shows no effect on the corrosion resistance. Nitrogen in the ranges studied did not affect the corrosion rate but did increase the total weight gains.

Research Organization:
Carnegie Inst. of Tech., Pittsburgh
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
NSA Number:
NSA-16-010463
OSTI ID:
4792833
Report Number(s):
WAPD-T-923
Journal Information:
Corrosion (Houston), Journal Name: Corrosion (Houston) Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 18; ISSN 0010-9312
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English