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FUNDAMENTAL AND APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN METALLURGY. RESEARCH ON THE MECHANISM OF ZIRCONIUM ALLOY CORROSION IN HIGH-TEMPERATURE STEAM. Summary Technical Report to the United StateAtomic Energy Commission for the Period July 1, 1960 Through June 30, 1961. Part A. STUDIES ON THE OXYGEN GRADIENT IN CORRODING ZIRCONIUM ALLOYS. Part B. CRACKING OF THICK FILMS ON ZIRCONI

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4833684
The oxygen gradient beneath the oxide film on Zr alloys corroding at various temperatures was measured and related to a theoretical expression involving the diffusivity, rate of corrosion and time of corrosion. These data enable accurate quantitative predictions of the oxygen gradient. The mechanism of failure of thick oxide films on corroding Zr alloys was studied at the corrosion temperature by a technique involving decoration of cracks and fissures by HCl. Results indicate that oxide films equivalent in thickness to 500 to 600 mg/dm/sup 2/ weight gain formed in steam at 700 to 750 deg C result in cracks at temperature. Cooling of samples with thick oxide films from temperature and then recorroding at temperature results in accelerated corrosion. Thermodynamic data on the interaction of Zr intermetallic compounds with 0 and H were obtained. Equilibration with H atmospheres demonstrated that unalloyed Zr is a better getter for H than any of the intermetallic compounds studied. The results of equilibration with 0 at low activity obtained from an Mg/MgO mixture are inconclusive (auth)
Research Organization:
Nuclear Metals, Inc., Concord, Mass.
NSA Number:
NSA-15-031130
OSTI ID:
4833684
Report Number(s):
NMI-1251
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English