| Abstract |
| The oxidation characteristics of Zr-xSn (x=0, 0.4, 1.5, 3.0 wt.%) alloys were investigated in the LOCA temperature ranges of 800 to 1200℃ under the steam condition, using a modified thereto-gravimetric analyzer. At the pre-transition regime, the parabolic rate constants could be applied to the Zr-xSn alloys although the discontiuety of rate constants was revealed at 950?1050℃ in the alloys more than 1.5 wt.% of Sn contents. Below 1000℃, the rate constants increased as the Sn contents in Zr-xSn system increased. Above 1100℃, however, the rate constants did not depend upon the Sn contents. In the case of the Zr-Sn alloys more than 1.5 wt.% Sn, the oxidation rate would be ehanced by the formation of laterial cracks in oxide layer. The Sn-enriched line, which was observed within the oxide layer at the temperatures above 1100℃, was moved toward the metal/oxide interface with increasing the Sn content and would play a role in the reradation of oxidation rate due to the inhibition of oxygen diffusion and/or migration at the particle line. (Received April 9, 2004) |
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| Key Words |
| Zirconium alloy, Zr-Sn system, High-temperature oxidation, Steam oxidation, Oxidation kinetics, Oxidation rate constant, Loss-of-coolant accident, LOCA |
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