CORROSION OF ZIRCONIUM IN CUPRIC AND FERRIC CHLORIDES
The effect of metallurgical and surface treatments on the corrosion behavior of arc-melted reactor-grade zirconium in cupric or ferric chloride solutions was investigated. An apparatus was constructed and specimens of various metallurgical conditions and surface treatments were tested for 6 days at 35 deg C, with aeration. Some correlations were observed between corrosion rate and the metal's condition and treatment. Specifically, the unattacked or least attacked specimens were those that were etched as a final treatment before testing. The most severely attacked specimens were those that were vacuum- annealed as a final treatment before testing. The moderately attacked specimens were those neither vacuum-annealed nor etched, but having a final surface treatment which left a cold-worked surface. Attack by cupric and ferric chloride was by pitting with no preference for grain boundaries. The corrosion scale was composed predominately of very fine zirconium particles. Particles from the FeCl/ sub 3/-corroded specimens were more pyrophoric than those from CuCl/sub 2/- corroded specimens, and appeared to have a higher surface area to volume ratio. Comparison of results to those of previous investigators showed that at certain salt concentrations the more pure, reactor-grade zirconium was quite resistant to attack while the less pure, graphite-melted zirconium was severely attacked. From an examination of earlier tests of zirconium in metal chlorides, there appeared to be a relationship between corrosion rate and the position of the metal in the electromotive force series of elements. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Bureau of Mines. Albany Metallurgy Research Center, Ore.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-16-015143
- OSTI ID:
- 4796653
- Report Number(s):
- BM-RI-5945
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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