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Corrosion-Resistant Ti-xNb-xZr Alloys for Nitric Acid Applications in Spent Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Plants

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Abstract

This article reports the development, microstructure, and corrosion behavior of two new alloys such as Ti-4Nb-4Zr and Ti-2Nb-2Zr in boiling nitric acid environment. The corrosion test was carried out in the liquid, vapor, and condensate phases of 11.5 M nitric acid, and the potentiodynamic anodic polarization studies were performed at room temperature for both alloys. The samples subjected to three-phase corrosion testing were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDAX). As Ti-2Nb-2Zr alloy exhibited inferior corrosion behavior in comparison to Ti-4Nb-4Zr in all three phases, weldability and heat treatment studies were carried out only on Ti-4Nb-4Zr alloy. The weldability of the new alloy was evaluated using tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding processes, and the welded specimen was thereafter tested for its corrosion behavior in all three phases. The results of the present investigation revealed that the newly developed near alpha Ti-4Nb-4Zr alloy possessed superior corrosion resistance in all three phases and excellent weldability compared to conventional alloys used for nitric acid application in spent nuclear reprocessing plants. Further, the corrosion resistance of the beta heat-treated Ti-4Nb-4Zr alloy was superior when compared to the sample heat treated in the alpha + beta phase.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are appreciative to Drs. T. Nandhi and A.K. Singh, DMRL (Hyderabad), for their help in the alloy casting. They also acknowledge the help rendered by A. Ravi Shankar, S. Raju, and P. Parmaeswarn, IGCAR, during the characterization of the materials.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical and Building Sciences, VIT University, Vellore, 632 014, Tamil Nadu, India

    Geetha Manivasagam (Professor) & V. Anbarasan (Project Assistant, Research Associate)

  2. GE India Technology Centre Pvt. Ltd., Plot #122, Export Promotion Industrial Park, Phase 2, Hoodi Village, Whitefield Road, Bangalore, 560 066, India

    V. Anbarasan (Project Assistant, Research Associate)

  3. Reprocessing Research and Development Division, Corrosion Science and Technology Division, and IGCAR Technology Transfer Cell, Indira Gandhi Centre for Advanced Research, Kalpakkam, 603 102, Tamil Nadu, India

    U. Kamachi Mudali (Head, Professor)

  4. Homi Bhabha National University (DAE), Indira Gandhi Centre for Advanced Research, Kalpakkam, 603 102, Tamil Nadu, India

    U. Kamachi Mudali (Head, Professor)

  5. Indira Gandhi Centre for Advanced Research, Kalpakkam, 603 102, Tamil Nadu, India

    Baldev Raj (Director)

Authors
  1. Geetha Manivasagam
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  2. V. Anbarasan
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  3. U. Kamachi Mudali
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  4. Baldev Raj
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Correspondence to U. Kamachi Mudali.

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Manuscript submitted November 16, 2010.

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Manivasagam, G., Anbarasan, V., Kamachi Mudali, U. et al. Corrosion-Resistant Ti-xNb-xZr Alloys for Nitric Acid Applications in Spent Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Plants. Metall Mater Trans A 42, 2685–2695 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-011-0701-4

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