The importance of substrate grain orientation on local oxide texture and corrosion performance in a-Zr alloys

Samuel A.J. Armson, Alistair Garner, Felicity Baxter, Maria S. Yankova, Christopher P. Race, Aidan Cole-Baker, Christopher Riley, Michael Preuss, Philipp Frankel

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference PaperOther

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Understanding the in-reactor corrosion behavior of zirconium alloys is essential for optimizing the lifetime of fuel assemblies. Recent advances in available experimental methods have enabled the characterization of oxide morphology, crystallography, and chemical heterogeneity with unprecedented detail for both autoclave and reactor formed oxides. Advanced high-resolution techniques have already improved the understanding of zirconium alloy corrosion performance. However, they are carried out on small volumes of material and require preparation of thin samples, which can lead to changes in the phase distribution in the oxide and often show varied results from different regions of a single bulk specimen. The present study utilizes high-spatial-resolution electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) performed on bulk samples to produce spatially resolved microtexture data from nanograined zirconium oxide over a large area, which has not previously been possible. This advanced method of plan-view oxide texture analysis, alongside targeted focused ion beam cross-section measurements and substrate EBSD analysis, has revealed well-defined regions of monoclinic oxide grains that exhibit different textures depending on the orientation of the substrate grain on which they have formed. The observed variations in oxide texture have significant implications on any conclusions drawn solely from methods that are limited to the characterization of small areas—especially where sampling areas are smaller than the substrate grain size. Two competing mechanisms of oxide grain growth and nucleation are discussed, and detailed EBSD analysis illustrates a correlation between local oxide texture and corrosion rate. This analysis is performed on specimens of autoclave-tested Zircaloy-2 and ZIRLO and highlights differences in oxide texture development between the two alloys, indicating the significance of material composition and thermomechanical processing on corrosion behavior.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationZirconium in the Nuclear Industry
Subtitle of host publication19th International Symposium
EditorsArthur T. Motta, Suresh K. Yagnik
PublisherASTM International
Pages878-903
Number of pages26
ISBN (Electronic)9780803176904
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 Jul 2021
Externally publishedYes
EventInternational Symposium on Zirconium in the Nuclear Industry 2021 - Manchester, United Kingdom
Duration: 19 May 201923 May 2019
Conference number: 19th
https://www.astm.org/products-services/standards-and-publications/symposia-papers/all-symposia-papers.html (Proceedings)

Publication series

NameASTM Special Technical Publication
VolumeSTP 1622
ISSN (Print)0066-0558

Conference

ConferenceInternational Symposium on Zirconium in the Nuclear Industry 2021
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityManchester
Period19/05/1923/05/19
Internet address

Keywords

  • high-spatial-resolution EBSD
  • lattice matching
  • microtexture analysis
  • oxide microtexture regions
  • zirconium corrosion

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