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, Sandy Knowles, G.H. Rubiolo

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

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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
EditorsThe Minerals, Metals & Materials Society
PublisherSpringer
Pages1352-1362
Number of pages11
ISBN (Electronic)9783030923815
ISBN (Print)9783030923815, 9783030923808, 9783030923839
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Feb 2022
EventTMS 2022 Annual Meeting & Exhibition - Anaheim Convention Center & Anaheim Marriott , Anaheim, United States
Duration: 27 Feb 20223 Mar 2022

Publication series

NameMinerals, Metals and Materials Series
ISSN (Print)2367-1181
ISSN (Electronic)2367-1696

Conference

ConferenceTMS 2022 Annual Meeting & Exhibition
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAnaheim
Period27/02/223/03/22

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This study was supported by FonCyT, through PICT-2015-2267 and PICT-2018-01671 projects and by UNSAM, through PAI 2020-80020190200024SM project. P.A. Ferreirós & A.J. Knowles acknowledge funding from the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Grant EP/T01220X/1. The authors would also like to thank Jóhan Pauli Magnussen for his help with the phase equilibrium modelling.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society.

Keywords

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

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Metals and Alloys
  • Materials Chemistry

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