Study on Effects of Cu content on Microstructure and corrosion resistance of Zr-Nb alloys

Abstract With the further development of nuclear power, fuel burn-up continues to increase and refueling cycle is extended, which puts forward higher requirements for performance cladding materials. In this paper, Zr-Nb-0.1Fe-x (0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%) Cu alloy samples were prepared by using process route parameters industrial production zirconium plates. The effects content on microstructure Zr-Nb corrosion resistance in 18.6 MPa / 360 °C Li+B aqueous solution studied means high-temperature autoclave simulation test, scanning electron microscope, transmission metallographic XRD observation analysis. results show that Zr-Nb-0.1Fe-xCu precipitates a large number elliptical second-phase particles, mainly distributed crystal. content, second phase whose size greater than 100 nm increases, solid solubility matrix less Zr-Nb-0.1Fe-0.05% β-Nb Zr-Nb-0.1Fe compounds, - (0.1%, amount small Zr compounds. Zr-1Nb-0.1Fe can be improved adding ≤ 0.2% Cu. After 434 d corrosion, oxide film was completely transformed from t-ZrO2 m-ZrO 2 . interface between metal tightly bound, there transverse microcracks film, but it did not fall off. When 0.2%, best.