The Corrosion and Mechanical Behavior of Zirconium Alloy for Alkali Fusion Process at High Temperature

Zirconium alloy with the composition of 90.1% Zr and alloying elements such as Mg, Al, and Si was investigated for its mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. The specimen was dissolved in a mixture of NaOH, Na 2 CO 3 , S, and SnO 2 at 800°C for 10 min, followed by an HCl solution at room temperature for 100 cycles. The structural properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, while the mechanical properties, such as tensile strength were investigated by a universal tensile machine. The microstructural observations indicated that the outside part of the crucible underwent pitting corrosion which resulted in corrosion in all directions inside that part of the crucible. The corrosion structure consisted of cracks that reached the base metal. The residual chemical from the fusion and dissolution process remained in the crack and formed NaCl, which accelerated the crack. The release rate of the zirconia oxide layer was calculated to be 8 μm per cycle. During the corrosion process at high temperatures, oxygen diffusion infiltrated the base metal and stretched the crystal lattice, causing strain hardening with the values of yield strength and ultimate tensile strength increased to 22.5% while the strain decreased by 50%.