Effect of Residual Etchant on the Corrosion Behavior of Zircaloy-2

Abstract

Abstract The aqueous corrosion behavior of Zircaloy-2 surfaces contaminated with reaction product from the HNO3-HF-H2O etchant was studied. Surfaces slightly contaminated with residual etchant exhibit cloudy surfaces and corrode more rapidly than non-contaminated surfaces. The surfaces of coupons severely contaminated exhibit white continuously spalling oxide films in high temperature water. In 750 F steam, however, the corrosion is characterized initially by a spalling corrosion film followed by an adherent corrosion product. 6.3.20, 2.3.6