Aqueous Corrosion of Uranium and Alloys: Survey of Project Literature

Abstract

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Review of oxidation rates of DOE spent nuclear fuel : Part 1 : nuclear fuel.

“…Few reviews of the mechanism and kinetics of uranium alloys oxidation in various media have been published. 6,19,41,43,62,63,64,85 The uranium-molybdenum alloy corrosion reaction rate is dependent on microstructure and is lowest for the gamma phase. In general, the oxidation rates of high alloys in water were lower than that of unalloyed uranium at temperatures below 350°C.…”

“…At temperatures less than 70°C, oxygen has a strong inhibiting effect on the initial corrosion rates of uranium with water. 41,42 , 43 After 42 hours in 70°C aerated water (i.e., reaction vessel was continuously sparged with air for the 1800-hour test), the reaction rate is forty times less than the anoxic water rate. However after 1200 to 1800 hours the oxic water reaction rate is essentially the same as the anoxic rate.…”

“…However after 1200 to 1800 hours the oxic water reaction rate is essentially the same as the anoxic rate. 42,43 At lower temperatures, the time to reach the anoxic reaction rate increases. The transition between oxygenated and anoxic behavior at 70°C in water can be likened to the transition observed in water vapor reaction rates at a threshold oxygen concentration of 10 to 1000 vppm in the vapor phase.…”

An Evaluation of Data on Zirconium-Uranium Alloys

“…and tarnishes readily in water at 100 C (212 F) to f o r m a nonprotective coating of uranium dioxide (71,72). Corrosion r a t e s have been reported ranging from -2.5 to -4.9 mg/(cm2) (hr)(72), depending upon metal purity and heat treatment.…”

“…The corrosion resistance of unalloyed uranium is sensitive to dissolved gases in the test water (72). at test temperatures ranging f r o m 50 to 225 C (120 to 440 F).…”