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Effects of anodization conditions on subsequent hydride corrosion of uranium metal

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Abstract

Electrochemical and electrolyte conditions are explored for galvanostatic and potentiostatic anodization of uranium metal for the purpose of imparting resistance to hydride corrosion. Sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and boric acid mixtures are studied as potential anodization media. It is found that anodization delays the bulk hydride corrosion of uranium in all cases studied by between 1.3 and 3.1 times an unanodized baseline. The most robust extension is found to exist for potentiostatic anodization in concentrated sulfuric acid. These conditions are further found to produce a more uniform hydride corrosion morphology compared to nitric acid or electrolytes with boric acid added.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy through the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Los Alamos National Laboratory is operated by Triad National Security, LLC, for the National Nuclear Security Administration of U.S. Department of Energy (Contract No. 89233218CNA000001).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemical Diagnostics and Engineering, Chemistry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA

    Keri Campbell, Aaron Pital & Dan Kelly

  2. Materials Synthesis and Integrated Devices, Materials Physics and Application Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA

    Janelle Droessler & Jerzy Chlistunoff

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  1. Keri Campbell
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  2. Aaron Pital
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  3. Janelle Droessler
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  4. Jerzy Chlistunoff
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Correspondence to Keri Campbell.

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Campbell, K., Pital, A., Droessler, J. et al. Effects of anodization conditions on subsequent hydride corrosion of uranium metal. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 332, 809–815 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-023-08774-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-023-08774-y

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