High Temperature Oxidation of Zirconium and its Alloys in Water-Vapor

Abstract

Rates of oxidation and hydrogen absorption of iodide-processed high purity zirconium, commercial-grade zirconium, Kroll-processed reactor-grade zirconium, its 2.5% tin alloy and 0.24% iron alloy with water vapor were measured over the temperature range of 650° to 850°C. The results were as follows; (1) There was no great difference between the oxidation rates in water vapor and in oxygen. (2) The percentage of absorbed hydrogen in the specimens oxidized with water vapor were 1% to 20% of hydrogen produced by the oxidation process and decreased as the temperature became higher. (3) The amounts of absorbed hydrogen were larger in the specimens of higher oxidation rate than in those of lower oxidation rate.