Susceptibility of M5sup(TM) (ZrNbO) alloy to pitting corrosion at different temperatures

Abstract

Corrosion of fuel cladding is a major concern in the nuclear industry. Zirconium alloys are the standard materials for nuclear fuel tubing due to its notable low neutron absorption crosssection. The M5sup(TM) alloy is currently employed for the production of nuclear fuel cladding in Brazil. Pitting corrosion has been associated with the intergranular stress corrosion cracking of these materials. In this regard, the study of pitting corrosion behavior of M5sup(TM) alloy is of great technological interest in order to allow the development of safer nuclear fuel claddings. The aim of this work was to evaluate the pitting corrosion behavior of M5sup(TM) alloy at different temperatures. Electrochemical measurements comprised potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analyses. The tests were conducted in 5.0 wt.% NaCl solution at room temperature, 40 ºC and 60 ºC. The corrosion resistance was shown to be dependent on the testing temperature. The M5sup(TM) alloy showed good corrosion resistance with only a slight decay as the temperature increased.