About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
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Materials Corrosion Behavior in Advanced Nuclear Reactor Environments III
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| Presentation Title |
Oxidation behavior of Zr-Nb Alloys in Air and Steam-Containing Environments |
| Author(s) |
Sean Li, Chaitanya S. Deo, Remi Dingreville, Scott Monismith, Nate Bianco, Preet M. Singh |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Sean Li |
| Abstract Scope |
Zr-based alloys are essential in nuclear reactors due to their superior irradiation stability and mechanical properties. Recently developed Zr-based alloys often incorporate Nb as a key alloying element to enhance performance. This study systematically investigates the effect of Nb addition on the oxidation behavior of binary Zr-Nb alloys with hypoeutectoid, eutectoid, and hypereutectoid compositions. Alloys produced using an electric arc furnace were tested for their oxidation behavior in both air and steam environments at temperatures ranging from 200 °C to 500 °C. Oxide scale morphology and structure were characterized using XRD, SEM, and EDS. Oxidation rates were generally lower in steam containing environments than in air under otherwise equivalent test conditions. Comparisons between oxides formed in air and steam revealed significant differences in composition and morphology, emphasizing the importance of environment on high-temperature oxidation behavior. These findings provide critical insights for the design and selection of Zr-based alloys for high temperature applications. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
High-Temperature Materials, Nuclear Materials, Environmental Effects |