Effect of Aging and Irradiation on the Corrosion of Zr-2.5 Wt% Nb

Abstract
In the absence of radiation the corrosion of quenched, cold worked and aged Zr-2.5 Wt% Nb in 280 C (536 F) pressurized water decreases with increasing aging time and temperature. Under neutron irradiation the corrosion in all aged conditions is much less, and no dependence on prior aging is discernible. The corrosion behavior is compared with the submicrostructure developed during thermal aging and subsequent irradiation. On aging the quenched and cold worked structure, β-Nb precipitates from the α-Zr phase, reducing the Nb concentration in the matrix. It is postulated that the corrosion suppression under irradiation is due to in-reactor aging.

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