Corrosion and Deuterium Pickup in Zr-2.5Nb: Twenty Years of In-Reactor Testing at the OECD Halden Boiling Water Reactor

Abstract

Corrosion and deuterium pickup studies on coupons prepared from Zr-2.5Nb have been conducted using a recirculating heavy-water loop installed in the OECD Halden Boiling Water Reactor over a 20-year period. The Zr-2.5Nb materials used in this study have been fabricated by slightly different techniques that represent the development history for pressure tubes. Modifications to pressure tubes were made to improve performance and increase operating lifetime. The results demonstrate that the pressure tube development programs were successful in reducing in-reactor oxide growth and the deuterium pickup rate.