Anodic hydrogenation of zirconimm

A process of anodic hydrogenation of reactor grade zirconium and its alloy with 2.5 % Nb in hydrochloric acid solutions has been investigated. Under anodic polarization of zirconium alloys in HCl under conditions of pitting formation the main part of the hydrogen formed is directly absorbed by an electrode. Zirconium hydrogenation under anodic polarization is at least three orders as high as that under cathodic polarization. Considered is a model according to which anodic activation of a passive zirconium in hydrochloric acid is a process of local electrocrystallization of lower non-protective oxide Zr3O against the background of Zr2O2 the process being sharply intensified when applying tensile stresses bringing about a quite evident (4000-fold) mechanoelectrochemical effect