Steam oxidation of Zr–1.5Nb–0.4Sn–0.2Fe–0.1Cr and Zircaloy-4 at 900–1200 °C

The steam oxidation characteristics for the Zr–1.5Nb–0.4Sn–0.2Fe–0.1Cr (HANA-4) and Zircaloy-4 claddings were elucidated at LOCA temperatures of 900–1200 °C by using a modified thermo-gravimetric analyzer. After the oxidation tests, the oxidation behaviors, oxidation rates, surface appearances, and microstructures of the as-received, as-oxidized, and burn-up simulated claddings were evaluated in this study. The high-temperature oxidation resistance of the as-received HANA-4 cladding was superior to that of the Zircaloy-4. The superior oxidation resistance of the HANA-4 cladding could be attributed to the higher Nb and the lower Sn within its cladding. The pre-oxidized layer formed at the low temperatures below 500 °C could retard the oxidation rate at the high temperatures above 900 °C. And the soundness of the pre-oxidized layer formed at a lower temperature could influence the oxidation kinetics and the rate constants during a steam oxidation at LOCA temperatures from 900 to 1200 °C.