Temperature rise during anodic oxidation of zirconium

The temperature rise in the anodic oxide during its formation on zirconium has been measured using the anodizing specimen as a resistance thermometer. The temperature rise in the oxide formed on strip samples was reduced by electrolyte stirring. The temperature of an anodized wire was found to be less than that of the anodized strip under otherwise similar conditions. The temperature rise is shown to depend on the balance between the rate of heat generation in the oxide and the rate at which it is conducted to the surrounding electrolyte. This latter factor changes with geometry and with stirring of the solution.