A Comparative Study on High-Temperature Air and Steam Oxidation of Cr-Coated Zr-4 Alloy Prepared by Multi-Arc Ion Plating

Abstract

The high-temperature oxidation behavior of Cr-coated Zr-4 alloy in air and steam atmosphere are comparatively studied. The results demonstrate that Cr-coated Zr-4 alloy experiences more severe oxidation in steam atmosphere. This can be attributed to the cyclic redox reactions between Cr and H2O(g), Cr2O3 and H2. Due to the co-reduction effect of H2 and Zr next to the coating, the thickness of Cr2O3 does not increase monotonically with the increase of oxidation time in steam atmosphere. In addition, the reduction reaction of Zr next to the coating caused its own oxidation under prolonged exposure to high temperature steam.

Keywords: High-temperature air oxidation, High-temperature steam oxidation, multi-arc ion plating, Cr-coated Zr-4 alloy, Redox reaction