Corrosion Behaviour of New Zr Alloys

Corrosion studies have indicated that the most promising replacements for Zicaloy-2 are ZrCrFe, ZrVFe and probably ZrNbTa, provided they are in their optimized condition. These alloys are conventionally manufactured alloys. An internally oxidized ZrMgO alloy is even superior, from the corrosion and hydrogen uptake points of view, to the above-mentioned alloys.

This alloy is of particular interest because the addition of MgO leads to no neutron penalty and the dispersion-strengthening entails the possibility of tailoring an alloy with the desired mechanical properties.