Oxidation studies on U-Zr alloys

Oxidation of U-Zr alloys (11 to 90 at% Zr) in air was studied thermogravimetrically in isothermal as well as non-isothermal mode of heating. Increase in zirconium concentration led to decrease in reactivity with air. Based on the chemical analyses of the intermediate products, a marginal preferential oxidation of uranium in the matrix during the initial stages of the oxidation was observed. Non-isothermal studies showed a linear reaction rate with the flaking of the product layer. The reaction mechanism was found to be temperature dependent in isothermal heating studies.(author). 6 refs., 1 fig