Chemical interactions of tellurium vapors with reactor materials

The reaction of tellurium vapor with 304 stainless steel and Inconel-600 alloys in an as-received state and in a preoxidized state was studied for the temperature range 500/sup 0/C to 800/sup 0/C. Most reaction products were identified. The reaction is fast and appears largely limited by tellurium transport through the surrounding gas phase. Also studied are the reactions of tellurium vapor with silver Zircaloy-2. Tellurium desorption rates from solid solutions of tellurium in nickel and 304 stainless steel were measured. The FLATDEP model for calculating tellurium deposition profiles is presented.