Effect of N+ ion implantation on corrosion resistance of zicaloy-4

In order to investigate effect of ion implantation on corrosion resistance of zircaloy-4, N+ ions from an accelerator at doses ranging from 4 x 1014 to 1 x 1016 cm-2 were employed. Effect of N+ ion implantation on passive current density was studied by electrodynamic polarization measurements in a 0.5 mol/L H2SO4 solution at room temperature, and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) was used to examine the change of microstructures in the implantated surface. The potentiodynamic tests showed that with the increase of implanted dose, surface passive current density decreased remarkably. The enhancement of corrosion resistance can be attributed to the amorphous phase formation in the implanted surface. (authors)