The use of micro-Raman imaging to measure 18O tracer distribution in thermally grown zirconia scales

M. Guerain (1) , M. Mermoux (2) , C. Duriez (1)

1 IRSN/PSN-RES/SEREX/LE2M - Laboratoire d'Expérimentation en Mécanique et Matériaux
2 LEPMI - Laboratoire d'Electrochimie et de Physico-chimie des Matériaux et des Interfaces

High temperature Zircaloy-4 oxidation has been studied through two-stage oxidation experiments using 18O isotope. 18O distribution in the oxidation scales was investigated by micro-Raman imaging. First, zirconia standards with known 18O content were prepared and analyzed for calibration purposes. Then, to assess the method on a simple case, 18O tracer penetration patterns were recorded after a 800°C two-stage oxidation. Finally, oxidation at 850°C of a Zircaloy4 cladding tube pre-corroded at 425°C to simulate corrosion during normal reactor operation was studied. These preliminary results give insights on the protective nature of the first formed zirconia scale in case of an accident. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.

Domaines: Chimie

M. Guerain, M. Mermoux, C. Duriez. The use of micro-Raman imaging to measure 18O tracer distribution in thermally grown zirconia scales. Corrosion Science, 2015, 98, pp.140-149. ⟨10.1016/j.corsci.2015.05.020⟩. ⟨hal-02572545⟩