Modeling of liquid phase formation by solid-solid interaction of Zircaloy and AISI 316 Steel

Two models were developed in order to describe the eutectic interaction between Zircaloy-4 and AISI 316 stainless steel, in the temperature range 1000 - 1300 C degree. The aim of the models is to simulate what could happen in the nucleus of a power reactor in an eventual transient high temperature accident. Entry data correspond to the instantaneous positions of the Zircaloy-4 / liquid and stainless steel / liquid inter phases, obtained from experimental data. The hypothesis corresponding to the first model are: that the liquid phase growths by diffusion of the main elements of each alloy in the liquid (Fe and Zr), that there is no interaction between these elements during diffusion, that the diffusion or convection in the solid state is not considered, and that volume changes are negligible during fusion and interdiffusion. Concentrations at the solid/liquid inter phases and the effective diffusion coefficients for Zr and Fe in the liquid can be obtained. The model allows to calculate the formation kinetics for the liquid phase as measured by Zr oxide layers of 0, 10, 20 and 50 microns initial width, formed on the Zircaloy in order to simulate the operating conditions of a reactor. Incubation times for the onset of the reaction, observed experimentally in pre-oxidized samples, were calculated taking into account the oxide dissolution. The second model considers diffusion of Fe in Zircaloy since Fe is a fast diffuser in Zr. As in the first model, concentrations at the solid/liquid inter phases as well as the effective diffusion coefficients for Fe and Zr in the liquid, are calculated. The results obtained in this case depend on the Fe concentration at the solid/liquid interphase at the solid Zircaloy side, and on the Fe diffusivity in Zircaloy-4, which was estimated by the Fe diffusivity in Zr. (author)