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a b s t r a c tAssessment of the thermodynamics of SiC corrosion under light water reactor coolant environments suggests that silica formation is always expected in the range of applicable pH and potential. Autoclave testing of SiC-based materials in the absence of ionizing radiation was performed. The kinetics data from these tests, when compared with kinetics of silica dissolution in water and post-exposure characterization of SiC samples, suggest that oxidation of SiC to form silica is the rate-limiting step for recession of SiC in high temperature water. Oxygen activity in water was determined to play an important role in SiC recession kinetics. A simplified model of a power loop shows the effect of silica dissolution from the hot region (resembling fuel) and deposition in the cold regions.

The corrosion behavior of commercial and model FeCrAl alloys and type 310 stainless steel was examined by autoclave tests and compared to Zircaloy-4, the reference cladding materials in light water reactors. The corrosion studies were carried out in three distinct water chemistry environments found in pressurized and boiling water reactor primary coolant loop conditions for up to one year. The structure and morphology of the oxides formed on the surface of these alloys was consistent with thermodynamic predictions. Spinel-type oxides were found to be present after hydrogen water chemistry exposures, while the oxygenated water tests resulted in the formation of very thin and protective hematite-type oxides. Unlike the alloys exposed to oxygenated water tests, the alloys tested in hydrogen water chemistry conditions experienced mass loss as a function of time. This mass loss was the result of net sum of mass gain due to parabolic oxidation and mass loss due to dissolution that also exhibits parabolic kinetics. The maximum thickness loss after one year of LWR water corrosion in the absence of irradiation was ~2μm, which is inconsequential for a ~300-500µm thick cladding.

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