Transmission electron microscopy investigation of Zr2(Fe,Ni) particles incorporated in the oxide film formed on a Zirconium alloy

Abstract An analytical electron microscopy has been used to investigate the microstructural oxide of Zr 2 (Fe,Ni) particles incorporated into the oxide film formed on the alloy ZrSnNbFeCrNi. The alloy has been oxidized in 18.6 MPa lithiated water at 360 °C for 14 days forming an oxide scale of thickness around 1.2 μm. The results indicate: (i) the oxidation of Zr 2 (Fe,Ni) particles is faster than that of Zr(Fe,Cr) 2 particles, accompanied by the diffusion of Fe and Ni out of the Zr 2 (Fe,Ni) particles to the surrounding ZrO 2 matrix and; (ii) the oxidation products for Zr 2 (Fe,Ni) particles mainly comprise amorphous oxide along with cubic, tetragonal and monoclinic ZrO 2 . The behavior of Zr 2 (Fe,Ni) particles during oxidation is discussed.