Study of Microstructure, Hydrogen Solubility, and Corrosion of Ta-Modified Zr–1Nb Alloys for Nuclear Applications

P. A. Ferreirós, E. C.Savoy Polack, L. A. Lanzani, P. R. Alonso, D. P. Quirós, J. I. Mieza, E. Zelaya, A. J. Knowles, G. H. Rubiolo

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference article in proceedingsScientificpeer-review

Abstract

Modified Zr–1Nb alloys with Ta additions is a potential strategy to improve structural alloys for nuclear reactors. The effects of Ta on microstructural stability and resistance to corrosion of Zr–1Nb alloys were systematically investigated and elucidated. The (α+ β) microstructure in Zr–1.05Nb, Zr–0.85Nb–0.20Ta, and Zr–0.85Nb–0.40Ta (wt.%) alloys were obtained with the following two thermomechanical processes after a water quenching from βZr: (a) annealed at 570 °C for 3840 h and (b) a combination of intermediate annealing temperatures and cold rolled steps. Quantitative EDS-TEM analysis together with DSC measurements were used to characterise the changes in phase compositions and the fraction of beta-phase precipitates. Hydrogen solubility was measured in alloys with the first annealed condition. The Ta additions increase the monotectic transformation temperature, improves the steam corrosion at 400 °C and 10 MPa up to 14 days, and decreases slightly the hydrogen solubility. The higher thermal microstructural stability compared to Ta-free Zr–1Nb alloys provides potential advantages for increases in operating temperature or acceleration of precipitation kinetics during thermomechanical processing.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationTMS 2022 151st Annual Meeting and Exhibition Supplemental Proceedings
PublisherSpringer
Pages1352-1362
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-030-92381-5
ISBN (Print)978-3-030-92380-8, 978-3-030-92383-9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022
MoE publication typeA4 Article in a conference publication
Event151st Annual Meeting and Exhibition of The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society, TMS 2022 - Anaheim, United States
Duration: 27 Feb 20223 Mar 2022

Publication series

SeriesMinerals, Metals and Materials Series
ISSN2367-1181

Conference

Conference151st Annual Meeting and Exhibition of The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society, TMS 2022
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAnaheim
Period27/02/223/03/22

Keywords

  • Corrosion
  • Hydrogen solubility
  • Phase transformation
  • Ta addition
  • Zr–Nb alloys

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