Effect of temperature on corrosion and semiconducting properties of oxide films formed on M5 zirconium alloy

Abstract

Nuclear fuel cladding for pressurised water reactors is commonly manufactured with zirconium alloys. The M5 alloy is a relatively new cladding material for in-reactor used with enhanced performance compared to traditional zircaloys. In this work, the influence of temperature on the corrosion resistance and semiconducting properties of the passive film formed on the M5 alloy in a borate buffer solution has been evaluated. The electrochemical behaviour of the zirconium alloy was assessed by potentiodynamic polarisation tests, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Mott–Schottky plots. The results indicated that the corrosion resistance of the M5 alloy decreased with temperature due to the formation of a less stable and more defective passive film. The Mott–Schottky approach used in combination with polarisation tests and impedance measurements was effective to reveal the protective state of the passive film on the M5 alloy.