We used a range of advanced microscopy techniques to study the microstructure, nanoscale chemistry, and porosity in zirconium alloys at different stages of oxidation. Samples from both autoclave and in-reactor conditions were available, including ZIRLOTM, Zr-1.0Nb, and Zr-2.5Nb samples with different heat treatments. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD), and automated crystal orientation mapping with TEM were used to study the grain structure and phase distribution. Significant differences in grain morphology were observed between samples oxidized in the autoclave and in-reactor, with shorter, less well-aligned monoclinic grains and more tetragonal grains in the neutron-irradiated samples. A combination of energy-dispersive X-ray mapping in STEM and atom probe tomography analysis of second-phase particles (SPPs) can reveal the main and minor element distributions respectively. Neutron irradiation seems to have little effect on promoting fast oxidation or dissolution of ?-niobium precipitates but encourages the dissolution of iron from Laves-phase precipitates. An electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) analysis of the oxidation state of niobium in ?-niobium SPPs in the oxide revealed the fully oxidized Nb5+ state in SPPs deep into the oxide but Nb2+ in crystalline SPPs near the metal-oxide interface. EELS analysis and automated crystal orientation mapping with TEM revealed Widmanstatten-type suboxide layers in some samples with the hexagonal ZrO structure predicted by ab initio modeling. The combined thickness of the ZrO suboxide and oxygen-saturated layers at the metal-oxide interface correlated well to the instantaneous oxidation rate, suggesting that this oxygen-rich zone is part of the protective oxide that is rate limiting in the transport processes involved in oxidation. Porosity in the oxide had a major influence on the overall rate of oxidation, and there was more porosity in the rapidly oxidizing annealed Zr-1.0Nb alloy than in either the recrystallized alloy or the similar alloy exposed to neutron irradiation.

Annotation The 41 papers of this proceedings volume were first presented at the 13th symposium on Zirconium in the Nuclear Industry held in Annecy, France in June of 2001. Many of the papers are devoted to material related issues, corrosion and hydriding behavior, in-reactor studies, and the behavior and properties of Zr alloys used in storing spent fuel. Some papers report on studies of second phase particles, irradiation creep and growth, and material performance during loss of coolant and reactivity initiated accidents. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR.

This collection presents papers from the 151st Annual Meeting & Exhibition of The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society.

Corrosion is an expensive and potentially dangerous problem in many industries. The potential application of different nanostructured materials in corrosion protection, prevention and control is a subject of increasing interest. Corrosion protection and control using nanomaterials explores the potential use of nanotechnology in corrosion control.The book is divided into two parts. Part one looks at the fundamentals of corrosion behaviour and the manufacture of nanocrystalline materials. Chapters discuss the impact of nanotechnology in reducing corrosion cost, and investigate the influence of various factors including thermodynamics, kinetics and grain size on the corrosion behaviour of nanocrystalline materials. There are also chapters on electrodeposition and the corrosion behaviour of electrodeposited nanocrystalline materials. Part two provides a series of case studies of applications of nanomaterials in corrosion control. Chapters review oxidation protection using nanocrystalline structures at various temperatures, sol- gel and self-healing nanocoatings and the use of nanoreservoirs and polymer nanocomposites in corrosion control.With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, Corrosion protection and control using nanomaterials is an invaluable reference tool for researchers and engineers working with nanomaterials in a variety of industries including, aerospace, automotive and chemical engineering as well as academics studying the unique protection and control offered by nanomaterials against corrosion. - Explores the potential use of nanotechnology and nanomaterials for corrosion prevention, protection and control - Discusses the impact of nanotechnology in reducing corrosion cost and investigates various factors on the corrosion behaviour of nanocrystalline materials - Provides a series of case studies and applications of nanomaterials for corrosion control