Stress corrosion cracking of uranium--niobium alloys
The stress corrosion cracking behavior of U-2/sup 1///sub 4/, 4/sup 1///sub 2/, 6 and 8 wt % Nb alloys was evaluated in laboratory air and in aqueous Cl/sup -/ solutions. Thresholds for crack propagation were obtained in these environments. The data showed that Cl/sup -/ solutions are more deleterious than air environments. Tests were also conducted in pure gases to identify the species in the air responsible for cracking. These data showed the primary stress corrodent is water vapor for the most reactive alloy, U-2/sup 1///sub 4/% Nb, while O/sub 2/ is primarily responsible for cracking in the more corrosion resistant alloys, U-6 and 8% Nb. The 4/sup 1///sub 2/% alloy was found to be susceptible in both H/sub 2/O and O/sub 2/ environments.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, N.Mex. (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- EY-76-C-04-0789
- OSTI ID:
- 5122282
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-78-0439
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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