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Solubility and Decomposition Pressures of Hydrogen in Alpha-Zirconium

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Abstract

Thermodynamic information on the solubility of hydrogen in exothermic metals is limited. Thus, the overall solubility decreased as the temperature rose, which suggests the heat of solution of hydrogen in the metal is negative; yet the terminal solubility in the metal phase increased, which suggests an endothermic reaction. A thermodynamic analysis, therefore, was made of the several equilibria involved when hydrogen dissolved in the metal. Equations were derived expressing the solubility, terminal solubility, and decomposition pressures of hydrogen in terms of the heat, entropy, and free energy of solution of hydrogen in the given phase. The relations between the thermodynamic functions for the a-zirconium and 5 hydride phase were developed.

The thermodynamic quantities were determined experimentally by the measurement of the decomposition pressures over a broad composition and temperature range. Two new methods of analyzing the experimental data were developed for determination of the terminal solubility.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemical Dept., Research Laboratories, Westing-house Electric Corp., East Pittsburgh, Pa, USA

    Earl A. Gulbransen (Member AIME) & Kenneth F. Andrew

Authors
  1. Earl A. Gulbransen
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  2. Kenneth F. Andrew
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Additional information

Discussion on this paper, TP 3888E, may be sent, 2 copies, to AIME by Mar. 1, 1955. Manuscript, Apr. 14, 1954. Chicago Meeting, November 1954.

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Gulbransen, E.A., Andrew, K.F. Solubility and Decomposition Pressures of Hydrogen in Alpha-Zirconium. JOM 7, 136–144 (1955). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03377469

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03377469

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