Tungsten alloy oxidation behavior in air and steam: Fusion Safety Program/activation products task

Technical Report · Sun Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7205573· OSTI ID:7205573

Smolik, G R

This report presents oxidation rates derived from posttest evaluations of a tungsten alloy initially tested at the INEL in air and steam between 600{degree}C and 1200{degree}C to obtain volatilization measurements which have been previously reported. Oxidation behavior of pure tungsten in air and environments containing water vapor is initially reviewed. The oxidation rates which we have found for the alloy in air and steam, expressed as recession rates (mm/s), are then compared with rates reported in the literature for pure tungsten. We have also used weight changes and mass balances involved in the oxidation and volatilization processes to predict oxidation reactions and estimate remnant oxide products and quantities of hydrogen formed. Relationships for the oxidation of the tungsten alloy in air and steam, and also, hydrogen generation in steam are given based upon data extracted both from our tests and from the literature. These are the relationships recommended for fusion safety analyses based upon the current available information. Finally, a comparison of hydrogen production rates show that the three primary plasma-facing component (PFC) materials ranked in increasing order are graphite, tungsten and beryllium. Each of these materials, however, have other safety or performance features which impact PFC selection.

• Research Organization: EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-76ID01570
• OSTI ID: 7205573
• Report Number(s): EGG-FSP-10166; ON: DE92018051
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360104 -- Metals & Alloys-- Physical Properties
360105 -- Metals & Alloys-- Corrosion & Erosion
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700480* -- Fusion Technology-- Component Development
AIR
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ALLOYS
BERYLLIUM
CARBON
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
DIVERTORS
ELEMENTAL MINERALS
ELEMENTS
FIRST WALL
FLUIDS
GASES
GRAPHITE
INTERSTITIAL HYDROGEN GENERATION
ITER TOKAMAK
LIMITERS
MATERIALS
METALS
MINERALS
Ma
Materials Studies-- (1992-)
NONMETALS
OXIDATION
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
STEAM
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
THERMONUCLEAR REACTOR MATERIALS
THERMONUCLEAR REACTOR WALLS
TOKAMAK DEVICES
TUNGSTEN ALLOYS
TUNGSTEN BASE ALLOYS