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Progressing zirconium-alloy corrosion models using synchrotron xanes

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

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

The corrosion and hydrogen pickup of in-reactor zirconium-based cladding is currently limiting the maximum fuel burnup in light-water reactors. Since the oxidation rate and hydrogen pickup fraction of zirconium alloys vary significantly as a function of exposure time, burnup, and alloy composition, it is critical to better understand the underlying mechanisms to model and predict corrosion behavior. Following the analysis of ~500 autoclave coupons, a physically based zirconium-alloy corrosion model founded on first principles, named “Coupled Current Charge Compensation (C4)”, has been developed. The model reproduces the differences in oxidation kinetics and hydrogen pickup between different zirconium alloys, such as Zr-Nb and Zircaloy-4. Since oxidized solute elements affect the corrosion process through a space-charge compensation mechanism, synchrotron nano-beam X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Spectroscopy has been performed on multiple oxidized Zr-Nb alloys to determine the oxidation-state profile of niobium in the oxide layer. The results inform the C4 model and the associated hydrogen pickup fraction.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMinerals, Metals and Materials Series
PublisherSpringer International Publishing
Pages1781-1792
Number of pages12
ISBN (Print)9783030046385, 9783030046392, 9783319515403, 9783319651354, 9783319728520, 9783319950211
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019
Externally publishedYes
Event18th International Conference on Environmental Degradation of Materials in Nuclear Power Systems – Water Reactors 2019 - Boston, United States
Duration: Aug 18 2019Aug 22 2019

Publication series

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

Conference

Conference18th International Conference on Environmental Degradation of Materials in Nuclear Power Systems – Water Reactors 2019
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBoston
Period08/18/1908/22/19

Keywords

  • C4 Model
  • XANES
  • Zirconium corrosion

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