Corrosion resistant zirconium alloy absorber material

A burnable absorber controls axial power peaking or moderator temperature coefficient while additional elements are added to improve strength and/or corrosion resistance in a zirconium alloy containing erbium in a range of from about 0.05 to 2 wt. % selected from the group consisting of a naturally occurring distribution of isotopically enriched erbium-167 and a combination thereof; in a range of from a measurable amount up to 1.4% tin; from 0.2 to 0.5 wt. % iron; from 0.07 to 0.25 wt. % chromium; in a range of from a measurable amount up to 0.6 wt. % niobium; in a range of from a measurable amount up to 0.5 wt. % vanadium; 50-120 ppm silicon; 1000-2200 ppm oxygen and a balance of zirconium. Alternatively, the erbium can be replaced by gadolinium in a range of from about 0.05 to 6 wt. % selected from the group consisting of a naturally occurring distribution of gadolinium isotopes, isotopically enriched gadolinium-157 and a combination thereof.