Dissolution of Intermetallic Second-Phase Particles in Zircaloy-2 in High-Temperature Steam

Weicheng Zhong, Xiang Liu, Peter A. Mouche, Jun Li Lin, Donghee Park, Mohamed S. Elbakhshwan, Simerjeet K. Gill, Yang Ren, James F. Stubbins, Brent J. Heuser

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The stability of intermetallic second-phase particles (SPPs) in coated Zircaloy-2 was studied in 700 °C steam environments up to 20 hours. Hydrogen generated from high-temperature steam oxidation of uncoated Zr-induced δ-hydrides formation in the Zircaloy matrix. Synchrotron XRD demonstrated that longer exposure times increased hydride peak intensity and decreased intermetallic SPPs’ peak intensity. Cross-sectional SEM analysis verified the intermetallic SPPs’ volume fraction reduction. The size distribution of intermetallic SPPs was characterized and larger particles were dissolved at longer oxidation time. A correlation between the hydrogen concentration and the volume fraction of intermetallic SPPs at 700 °C steam environment was found, with the volume fraction of SPPs decreasing as hydrogen concentration increases.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1851-1861
Number of pages11
JournalMetallurgical and Materials Transactions A: Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science
Volume50
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 15 2019

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Metals and Alloys

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