Research on Nodular Corrosion Resistance of N36 Zirconium Alloy at 500°C

The nodular corrosion tests of improved Zr-4 tubes and two types of N36 tubes were carried out in 500 °C, 10.3Mpa super-heated steam. The results shown corrosion resistance of N36 tubes was much better than Impr.Zr-4 tubes. Characteristics of the second-phase particles and the oxide layer formed on N36 tubes were analyzed by scanning electronic microscope. The volume fraction of t-ZrO2 in oxide was calculated by Laser-Raman spectroscopic analysis. In connection with corrosion kinetics, the effect of SPPs size and volume fraction of t-ZrO2 in oxide related to corrosion resistance was discussed. It was pointed out that nodular corrosion resistance of N36 tubes can be improved by SPPs.Copyright © 2013 by ASME