Zirconium is important because of its mechanical and neutronics properties combined with its extraordinary resistance against corrosion. It’s mainly usage in nuclear engineering is as a nuclear fuel cladding. Even though Zr layers are very resistant to neutron fluence at reactor operating temperatures, high pressure and high radiation doses, exothermic Zr oxidation in accident scenario still occurs. Hydrogen, and a newly created layer of zirconium dioxide, are undesirable products of the high temperature steam oxidation. ZrO2 adopts a monoclinic crystal structure at room temperature and transitions to tetragonal and cubic at higher temperatures. The volume expansion caused by the cubic to tetragonal to monoclinic transformation induces large stresses and these stresses cause ZrO2 to crack upon cooling from high temperatures. To stabilize ZrO2 other oxides may be added. Therefore ZrO2 with its high ionic conductivity makes it one of the most promising ceramics to protect fuel cladding and the paper focuses on properties of ZrO2 used on Zr fuel cladding of common power reactors.
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2014 22nd International Conference on Nuclear Engineering
July 7–11, 2014
Prague, Czech Republic
Conference Sponsors:
- Nuclear Engineering Division
ISBN:
978-0-7918-4589-9
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Zirconium Dioxide as a Protective Layer of Zirconium Fuel Cladding Available to Purchase
Barbora Benešová,
Barbora Benešová
CTU in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
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Radek Škoda
Radek Škoda
CTU in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
Search for other works by this author on:
Barbora Benešová
CTU in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
Radek Škoda
CTU in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
Paper No:
ICONE22-30848, V001T02A018; 5 pages
Published Online:
November 17, 2014
Citation
Benešová, B, & Škoda, R. "Zirconium Dioxide as a Protective Layer of Zirconium Fuel Cladding." Proceedings of the 2014 22nd International Conference on Nuclear Engineering. Volume 1: Plant Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Modifications, Life Cycle and Balance of Plant; Nuclear Fuel and Materials; Plant Systems, Structures and Components; Codes, Standards, Licensing and Regulatory Issues. Prague, Czech Republic. July 7–11, 2014. V001T02A018. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/ICONE22-30848
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