Crystal structure analysis of oxide film of new zirconium alloy

The corrosion kinetics of NZ2 alloy were investigated by static autoclave test in 360 degrees C lithiated water and 400 degrees C steam. The crystal structure of oxide film of NZ2 alloy, corroded in two above mentioned kinds of mediums, was studied by XRD method in this paper. The results of corrosion kinetics indicated that the corrosion resistance of NZ2 alloy in 360 degrees C/18.6 MPa lithiated water was better than that in 400 degrees C/10.3 MPa steam. The content of t-ZrO2 in oxide film decreased, the content of m-ZrO2 increased with the prolongation of corrosion time, t-ZrO2 transited to m-ZrO2. And c-ZrO2 appeared in oxide film when corrosion transition happened, then the content of c-ZrO2 increased obviously. That means c-ZrO2 was transition phase during transformation of t-ZrO2 to m-ZrO2. Corrosion resistance was improved when the content of t-ZrO2 in oxide film increased.