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5. Oxidation – Corrosion
Zirconium alloys and hafnium resist well in water and steam under nuclear reactor operating conditions, at around 300°C. The oxide layers formed reach a few tens of microns, rarely more than 100 µm, after 3 to 6 years (under neutron irradiation).
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In air, oxidation is highly temperature-dependent, as shown in table 3 . The oxide layer is protective at low thicknesses (typically 3-10 µm), but degrades beyond that. For this reason, zirconium can be used at low temperatures (below 400 or 500°C), but oxidizes rapidly at higher temperatures. Nitriding only takes place above 800°C, when oxygen pressure is low.
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Oxidation – Corrosion
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Bibliography
Norms and standards
Most standards for zirconium and hafnium metal products, or alloys, are American ASTM standards. A few French standards also exist. Few standards concern hafnium.
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French standards
- Corrosion of metals and alloys – Aqueous corrosion testing of zirconium alloys used in nuclear reactors. - NF EN ISO 10270 - Juillet 2008
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