Influence of iron additives on the corrosion resistance of the Zr-1%Nb alloy under operating conditions of a nuclear reactor

This paper presents experimental data of the study of the influence of iron microadditives on the evolution of the structure of the Zr-1%Nb alloy and its corrosion properties with increasing iron content. It is shown that small additions of iron to the Zr-1%Nb alloy lead to a change in its structure due to the appearance of Laves phase precipitates. Additional micro alloying with iron makes a significant contribution to the corrosion resistance of Zr-1%Nb alloys in reactor water. The optimal amount of iron has been determined, which will lead to an increase in the corrosion resistance of the Zr-1%Nb alloy under the operating conditions of the nuclear reactor WWER-1000. (author)