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The Influence of Specimen Surface Roughness and Temperature of Steam Injection on Breakaway Oxidation Behavior of Zry-4 Fuel Cladding in Steam at 1273 K

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Abstract

The steam oxidation behavior of Zr-based Zircaloy-4 fuel cladding was studied at 1273 K with two different surface roughness levels. Steam was introduced either at room temperature (RT) or at 1273 K. Weight gain kinetics were evaluated by post-test weight measurement, and the reaction products and alloy microstructure were evaluated using optical microscopy. Hydrogen pick-up was measured by the gas extraction technique. Specimen surface roughness did not affect the oxidation kinetics or the hydrogen absorption. The time to breakaway oxidation was suppressed when steam was introduced at RT, and the oxide was more adherent, suggesting superior mechanical properties. When steam was introduced at 1273 K, an undulated oxide–metal interface formed earlier and a higher amount of hydrogen was absorbed by cladding before the kinetic transition. The alloy grain grew into larger size in the condition when steam was injected at 1273 K compared to the condition when steam was injected at RT, which may affect the observed behavior. After the oxide breakaway, the rate of hydrogen absorption accelerated substantially independent of the temperature of steam injection.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the help of other members of Fuel Safety Research Group of Nuclear Safety Research Center. This study was performed under the research entrusted by Secretariat of Nuclear Regulation Authority.

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  1. Martin Negyesi

    Present address: Centre for Advanced Innovation Technologies, VŠB-Technical University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nuclear Safety Research Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, 2-4 Shirakata, Tokai-mura, Naka-gun, Ibaraki, 319-1195, Japan

    Martin Negyesi & Masaki Amaya

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  1. Martin Negyesi
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  2. Masaki Amaya
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Correspondence to Masaki Amaya.

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Negyesi, M., Amaya, M. The Influence of Specimen Surface Roughness and Temperature of Steam Injection on Breakaway Oxidation Behavior of Zry-4 Fuel Cladding in Steam at 1273 K. Oxid Met 94, 283–299 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11085-020-09992-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11085-020-09992-5

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