The Importance of Substrate Grain Orientation on Local Oxide Texture and Corrosion Performance in α-Zr Alloys

Samuel A. J. Armson; Alistair Garner; Felicity Baxter; Maria S. Yankova; Christopher P. Race; Aidan Cole-Baker; Christopher Riley; Michael Preuss; Philipp Frankel

doi:10.1520/STP162220190057

The Importance of Substrate Grain Orientation on Local Oxide Texture and Corrosion Performance in α-Zr Alloys

Samuel A. J. Armson, Alistair Garner, Felicity Baxter, Maria S. Yankova, Christopher P. Race, Aidan Cole-Baker, Christopher Riley, Michael Preuss, Philipp Frankel

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

Abstract

Understanding the in-reactor corrosion behavior of zirconium alloys is essential for optimizing the lifetime of fuel assemblies. Recent advances in available experimental methods have enabled the characterization of oxide morphology, crystallography, and chemical heterogeneity with unprecedented detail for both autoclave and reactor formed oxides. Advanced high-resolution techniques have already improved the understanding of zirconium alloy corrosion performance. However, they are carried out on small volumes of material and require preparation of thin samples, which can lead to changes in the phase distribution in the oxide and often show varied results from different regions of a single bulk specimen. The present study utilizes high-spatial-resolution electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) performed on bulk samples to produce spatially resolved microtexture data from nanograined zirconium oxide over a large area, which has not previously been possible. This advanced method of plan-view oxide texture analysis, alongside targeted focused ion beam cross-section measurements and substrate EBSD analysis, has revealed well-defined regions of monoclinic oxide grains that exhibit different textures depending on the orientation of the substrate grain on which they have formed. The observed variations in oxide texture have significant implications on any conclusions drawn solely from methods that are limited to the characterization of small areas—especially where sampling areas are smaller than the substrate grain size. Two competing mechanisms of oxide grain growth and nucleation are discussed, and detailed EBSD analysis illustrates a correlation between local oxide texture and corrosion rate. This analysis is performed on specimens of autoclave-tested Zircaloy-2 and ZIRLO and highlights differences in oxide texture development between the two alloys, indicating the significance of material composition and thermomechanical processing on corrosion behavior.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Zirconium in the Nuclear Industry
Subtitle of host publication	19th International Symposium
Editors	Arthur T. Motta, Suresh K. Yagnik
Place of Publication	Philadelphia
Pages	878-903
Number of pages	26
Volume	STP1622
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1520/STP162220190057
Publication status	Published - 28 Jul 2021

Publication series

Name	Zirconium in the nuclear industry
Publisher	ASTM International
ISSN (Print)	1050-7558

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10.1520/STP162220190057

Cite this

Armson, S. A. J., Garner, A., Baxter, F., Yankova, M. S., Race, C. P., Cole-Baker, A., Riley, C., Preuss, M., & Frankel, P. (2021). The Importance of Substrate Grain Orientation on Local Oxide Texture and Corrosion Performance in α-Zr Alloys. In A. T. Motta, & S. K. Yagnik (Eds.), Zirconium in the Nuclear Industry: 19th International Symposium (Vol. STP1622, pp. 878-903). (Zirconium in the nuclear industry).. https://doi.org/10.1520/STP162220190057

Armson, Samuel A. J. ; Garner, Alistair ; Baxter, Felicity et al. / The Importance of Substrate Grain Orientation on Local Oxide Texture and Corrosion Performance in α-Zr Alloys. Zirconium in the Nuclear Industry: 19th International Symposium. editor / Arthur T. Motta ; Suresh K. Yagnik. Vol. STP1622 Philadelphia, 2021. pp. 878-903 (Zirconium in the nuclear industry).

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title = "The Importance of Substrate Grain Orientation on Local Oxide Texture and Corrosion Performance in α-Zr Alloys",

abstract = "Understanding the in-reactor corrosion behavior of zirconium alloys is essential for optimizing the lifetime of fuel assemblies. Recent advances in available experimental methods have enabled the characterization of oxide morphology, crystallography, and chemical heterogeneity with unprecedented detail for both autoclave and reactor formed oxides. Advanced high-resolution techniques have already improved the understanding of zirconium alloy corrosion performance. However, they are carried out on small volumes of material and require preparation of thin samples, which can lead to changes in the phase distribution in the oxide and often show varied results from different regions of a single bulk specimen. The present study utilizes high-spatial-resolution electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) performed on bulk samples to produce spatially resolved microtexture data from nanograined zirconium oxide over a large area, which has not previously been possible. This advanced method of plan-view oxide texture analysis, alongside targeted focused ion beam cross-section measurements and substrate EBSD analysis, has revealed well-defined regions of monoclinic oxide grains that exhibit different textures depending on the orientation of the substrate grain on which they have formed. The observed variations in oxide texture have significant implications on any conclusions drawn solely from methods that are limited to the characterization of small areas—especially where sampling areas are smaller than the substrate grain size. Two competing mechanisms of oxide grain growth and nucleation are discussed, and detailed EBSD analysis illustrates a correlation between local oxide texture and corrosion rate. This analysis is performed on specimens of autoclave-tested Zircaloy-2 and ZIRLO and highlights differences in oxide texture development between the two alloys, indicating the significance of material composition and thermomechanical processing on corrosion behavior.",

author = "Armson, {Samuel A. J.} and Alistair Garner and Felicity Baxter and Yankova, {Maria S.} and Race, {Christopher P.} and Aidan Cole-Baker and Christopher Riley and Michael Preuss and Philipp Frankel",

year = "2021",

month = jul,

day = "28",

doi = "10.1520/STP162220190057",

language = "English",

isbn = "9780803176904",

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booktitle = "Zirconium in the Nuclear Industry",

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Armson, SAJ, Garner, A, Baxter, F, Yankova, MS , Race, CP, Cole-Baker, A, Riley, C, Preuss, M & Frankel, P 2021, The Importance of Substrate Grain Orientation on Local Oxide Texture and Corrosion Performance in α-Zr Alloys. in AT Motta & SK Yagnik (eds), Zirconium in the Nuclear Industry: 19th International Symposium. vol. STP1622, Zirconium in the nuclear industry, Philadelphia, pp. 878-903. https://doi.org/10.1520/STP162220190057

The Importance of Substrate Grain Orientation on Local Oxide Texture and Corrosion Performance in α-Zr Alloys. / Armson, Samuel A. J.; Garner, Alistair; Baxter, Felicity et al.
Zirconium in the Nuclear Industry: 19th International Symposium. ed. / Arthur T. Motta; Suresh K. Yagnik. Vol. STP1622 Philadelphia, 2021. p. 878-903 (Zirconium in the nuclear industry).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

TY - CHAP

T1 - The Importance of Substrate Grain Orientation on Local Oxide Texture and Corrosion Performance in α-Zr Alloys

AU - Armson, Samuel A. J.

AU - Garner, Alistair

AU - Baxter, Felicity

AU - Yankova, Maria S.

AU - Race, Christopher P.

AU - Cole-Baker, Aidan

AU - Riley, Christopher

AU - Preuss, Michael

AU - Frankel, Philipp

PY - 2021/7/28

Y1 - 2021/7/28

N2 - Understanding the in-reactor corrosion behavior of zirconium alloys is essential for optimizing the lifetime of fuel assemblies. Recent advances in available experimental methods have enabled the characterization of oxide morphology, crystallography, and chemical heterogeneity with unprecedented detail for both autoclave and reactor formed oxides. Advanced high-resolution techniques have already improved the understanding of zirconium alloy corrosion performance. However, they are carried out on small volumes of material and require preparation of thin samples, which can lead to changes in the phase distribution in the oxide and often show varied results from different regions of a single bulk specimen. The present study utilizes high-spatial-resolution electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) performed on bulk samples to produce spatially resolved microtexture data from nanograined zirconium oxide over a large area, which has not previously been possible. This advanced method of plan-view oxide texture analysis, alongside targeted focused ion beam cross-section measurements and substrate EBSD analysis, has revealed well-defined regions of monoclinic oxide grains that exhibit different textures depending on the orientation of the substrate grain on which they have formed. The observed variations in oxide texture have significant implications on any conclusions drawn solely from methods that are limited to the characterization of small areas—especially where sampling areas are smaller than the substrate grain size. Two competing mechanisms of oxide grain growth and nucleation are discussed, and detailed EBSD analysis illustrates a correlation between local oxide texture and corrosion rate. This analysis is performed on specimens of autoclave-tested Zircaloy-2 and ZIRLO and highlights differences in oxide texture development between the two alloys, indicating the significance of material composition and thermomechanical processing on corrosion behavior.

AB - Understanding the in-reactor corrosion behavior of zirconium alloys is essential for optimizing the lifetime of fuel assemblies. Recent advances in available experimental methods have enabled the characterization of oxide morphology, crystallography, and chemical heterogeneity with unprecedented detail for both autoclave and reactor formed oxides. Advanced high-resolution techniques have already improved the understanding of zirconium alloy corrosion performance. However, they are carried out on small volumes of material and require preparation of thin samples, which can lead to changes in the phase distribution in the oxide and often show varied results from different regions of a single bulk specimen. The present study utilizes high-spatial-resolution electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) performed on bulk samples to produce spatially resolved microtexture data from nanograined zirconium oxide over a large area, which has not previously been possible. This advanced method of plan-view oxide texture analysis, alongside targeted focused ion beam cross-section measurements and substrate EBSD analysis, has revealed well-defined regions of monoclinic oxide grains that exhibit different textures depending on the orientation of the substrate grain on which they have formed. The observed variations in oxide texture have significant implications on any conclusions drawn solely from methods that are limited to the characterization of small areas—especially where sampling areas are smaller than the substrate grain size. Two competing mechanisms of oxide grain growth and nucleation are discussed, and detailed EBSD analysis illustrates a correlation between local oxide texture and corrosion rate. This analysis is performed on specimens of autoclave-tested Zircaloy-2 and ZIRLO and highlights differences in oxide texture development between the two alloys, indicating the significance of material composition and thermomechanical processing on corrosion behavior.

UR - https://doi.org/10.1520/STP162220190057

U2 - 10.1520/STP162220190057

DO - 10.1520/STP162220190057

M3 - Chapter

SN - 9780803176904

VL - STP1622

T3 - Zirconium in the nuclear industry

SP - 878

EP - 903

BT - Zirconium in the Nuclear Industry

A2 - Motta, Arthur T.

A2 - Yagnik, Suresh K.

CY - Philadelphia

ER -

Armson SAJ, Garner A, Baxter F, Yankova MS , Race CP, Cole-Baker A et al. The Importance of Substrate Grain Orientation on Local Oxide Texture and Corrosion Performance in α-Zr Alloys. In Motta AT, Yagnik SK, editors, Zirconium in the Nuclear Industry: 19th International Symposium. Vol. STP1622. Philadelphia. 2021. p. 878-903. (Zirconium in the nuclear industry). doi: 10.1520/STP162220190057

The Importance of Substrate Grain Orientation on Local Oxide Texture and Corrosion Performance in α-Zr Alloys

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