• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
• /
• v.48 no.6
• /
• pp.506-513
• /
• 2010

The composite coatings of $(ZrO_2-8Y_2O_3)$/(Ni-22Cr-10Al-1Y) were prepared by the air plasma spraying method. They consisted of (Ni,Cr)-rich regions,$(ZrO_2-Y_2O_3)$-rich regions, and $Al_2O_3$-rich regions that were formed by oxidation of Al from (Ni-22Cr-10Al-1Y) during spraying. The coatings corroded at 800 and $900^{\circ}C$ in NaCl-$Na_2SO_4$ molten salts up to 50 hr. Ni, Cr and Al oxidized to NiO, $Cr_2O_3$ and ${\alpha}-Al_2O_3$, respectively. These oxides and $(ZrO_2-Y_2O_3)$ were dissolved off into the molten salts during hot corrosion, which resulted in the ever-lasting corrosion of the composite coatings. Chromium diffused out from the (Ni,Cr)-rich regions and oxidized to $Cr_2O_3$, which was most frequently found as surface scales. Aluminum retained in the (Ni,Cr)-rich regions were similarly diffused out.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
• /
• v.48 no.8
• /
• pp.757-764
• /
• 2010

We report on the effect of additives on the microstructure and corrosion properties of electrodeposited Cu films. Copper films were fabricated by electrodeposition on various concentrations of gelatin in a copper sulfate electrolyte. The surface morphologies of the Cu films were observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and crystal orientation of the Cu films was analyzed by X-ray diffraction measurement. (220) plane was the dominant orientation when the films were fabricated at ambient temperature, decreasing in dominance with addition of gelatin. On the other hand, (111) plane-Cu films were preferentially grown at $40^{\circ}C$, and were also diminished with adding additives. Corrosion rate measurements using the Tafel extrapolation method based on corrosion potential and current reveal the effect of additives on corrosion behavior. Corrosion behavior was found to be strongly related to the orientation of the films. Consequently, additives like gelatin influence crystal orientation of the films, and if a less dense crystal plane, e.g. (220), is preferentially oriented during electrodeposition, a lower corrosion rate could be produced, since the plane shows a lower current density.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
• /
• v.46 no.8
• /
• pp.482-488
• /
• 2008

For a better understanding of the correlation between a corrosion and a microstructure, it is necessary to study a phase transformation with an annealing condition for Zr-Nb alloy. Zr-5wt.%Nb alloy with different phase characteristics was prepared with various annealing conditions. A microstructural study and corrosion test were performed to investigate the effect of a phase such as the phase type, fraction, and size on corrosion. The corrosion behavior of the Zr-5Nb alloy was very sensitive to the annealing condition, which affected the formation of the ${\beta}$-phases (${\beta}$-Nb or ${\beta}$. The corrosion rate of the Zr-5Nb alloy annealed at $500^{\circ}C$ with the formation of the ${\beta}$-Nb phase was lower than that of the Zr-5Nb alloy annealed from 600 to $800^{\circ}C$ with the formation of the ${\beta}$-Zr phase. The highest corrosion rate was observed for the ${\beta}$-quenched Zr-5Nb alloy. After a consideration of the corrosion rate and micro structure of the Zr-5Nb alloy, the corrosion resistance of that alloy was improved due to the formation of a small sized ${\beta}$-Nb phase which could be controlled by the annealing condition.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.209-216
• /
• 2008

Super austenitic stainless steels shows the high PRE (Pitting Resistance Equivalent) number and the good corrosion resistance. This work controlled the Co contents in Fe-31Cr-1.7Mo-27Ni-0.25N alloys to elucidate the effect of cobalt contents on the biocompatibility and corrosion resistance. Increasing Co contents, the hardness of the annealed alloys tends to be reduced. In aged alloys, cobalt decreased the increments of hardness by aging treatment. Cobalt decreased the critical pitting temperature (CPT) in 6% $FeCl_3$ + 1% HCl solution, but improved the anodic polarization behavior in Hanks' balanced salt solution and artificial saliva solution. Repassivation rate in artificial body solutions was improved by increasing cobalt contents, but didn't show the linear relationship to PRE number of the alloys. The experimental alloys showed the non-cytotoxicity because of its high corrosion resistance.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
• /
• v.46 no.9
• /
• pp.577-584
• /
• 2008

The electrolytic reduction of spent oxide fuel involves the liberation of oxygen in a molten LiCl electrolyte, which results in a chemically aggressive environment that is too corrosive for typical structural materials. So, it is essential to choose the optimum material for the process equipment handling molten salt. In this study, corrosion behavior of Inconel 713LC, Inconel MA 754, Nimonic 80A and Nimonic 90 in the molten salt $LiCl-Li_2O$ under an oxidizing atmosphere was investigated at $650^{\circ}C$ for 72~216 hrs. Inconel 713LC alloy showed the highest corrosion resistance among the examined alloys. Corrosion products of Inconel 713LC were $Cr_2O_3$, $NiCr_2O_4$ and NiO, and those of Inconel MA 754 were $Cr_2O_3$ and $Li_2Ni_8O_{10}$ while $Cr_2O_3$, $LiFeO_2$, $(Cr,Ti)_2O_3$ and $Li_2Ni_8O_{10}$ were produced from Nimonic 80A. Also, corrosion products of Nimonic 90 were found to be $Cr_2O_3$, $(Cr,Ti)_2O_3$, $LiAlO_2$ and $CoCr_2O_4$. Inconel 713LC showed local corrosion behavior and Inconel MA 754, Nimonic 80A, Nimonic 90 showed uniform corrosion behavior.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
• /
• v.46 no.10
• /
• pp.646-651
• /
• 2008

The electrolytic reduction of spent oxide fuel involves the liberation of oxygen in a molten LiCl electrolyte, which results in a chemically aggressive environment that is too corrosive for typical structural materials. It is essential to choose the optimum material for the process equipment handling molten salt. IN713LC is one of the candidate materials proposed for application in electrolytic reduction process. In this study, yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) top coat was applied to a surface of IN713LC with an aluminized metallic bond coat by an optimized plasma spray process, and were investigated the corrosion behavior at $675^{\circ}C$ for 216 hours in the molten salt $LiCl-Li_2O$ under an oxidizing atmosphere. The as-coated and tested specimens were examined by OM, SEM/EDS and XRD, respectively. The bare superalloy reveals obvious weight loss, and the corrosion layer formed on the surface of the bare superalloy was spalled due to the rapid scale growth and thermal stress. The top coatings showed a much better hot-corrosion resistance in the presence of $LiCl-Li_2O$ molten salt when compared to those of the uncoated superalloy and the aluminized bond coatings. These coatings have been found to be beneficial for increasing to the hot-corrosion resistance of the structural materials for handling high temperature lithium molten salts.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.277-288
• /
• 2010

The hot corrosion properties of heat-resistant steels were investigated in an oxidation atmosphere including artificial ash and sulfur dioxide. The heat-resistant steels of T22, T92, T122, T347HFG, Super304H and HR3C were evaluated at 620, 670 and $720^{\circ}C$ for 400 hours. The relationship between the corrosion rate and the temperature followed a bell-shaped curve with a peak rate at around $670^{\circ}C$. The corrosion rates showed a decreasing tendency as the chrome contents of these steels increased from 2.15 wt.% to 24.5 wt.%, and austenitic steels had a lower corrosion rate than ferritic steels. Sulfidation by $SO_2$ as well as molten salt corrosion also had an effect on the total corrosion rate, especially showing an increase in the corrosion rate in ferritic steels. Regardless of the chrome content in the steels and irrespective of the test temperature, the corrosion scale was composed of an outer oxide and an artificial ash mixed layer, a middle oxide layer and inner sulfide, and a mixed oxide layer. As the chrome content increased, the proportion of chrome oxide in the corrosion scale increased. Before spalling of the corrosion scale, voids and cracks were initiated in the sulfide and the mixed oxide layer or at the interface with the substrate.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
• /
• v.47 no.12
• /
• pp.852-859
• /
• 2009

The manufacturing process of zirconium alloys is an import factor to increase their strength and corrosion resistance. In order to find an improved manufacturing process of zirconium alloys in both Zr-1Nb-1Sn-0.1Fe (Alloy-A) and Zr-1.5Nb-0.4Sn-0.2Fe-0.1Cr (HANA-4) for fuel guide tubes, sheet samples were prepared by applying two- and three-step processes that were controlled by an annealing and reduction condition. The mechanical strength and corrosion resistance of both alloys were increased by applying the twostep process rather than the three-step process. From a matrix analysis using TEM, the property improvement is related to the decrease of the precipitate mean diameter with an application of the two-step process. In a comparison of the strength and corrosion properties between Alloy-A and HANA-4, the performance of HANA-4 was feasible for application to fuel guide tubes.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
• /
• v.50 no.9
• /
• pp.659-667
• /
• 2012

Alloy 617 is a Ni-base superalloy and a candidate material for the intermediate heat exchanger (IHX) of a very high temperature gas reactor (VHTR) which is one of the next generation nuclear reactors under development. The high operating temperature of VHTR enables various applications such as mass production of hydrogen with high energy efficiency. Alloy 617 has good creep resistance and phase stability at high temperatures in an air environment. However, it was reported that the mechanical properties decreased at a high temperature in an impure helium environment. In this study, high-temperature corrosion tests were carried out at $850^{\circ}C-950^{\circ}C$ in a helium environment containing the impurity gases $H_2$, CO, and $CH_4$, in order to examine the corrosion behavior of Alloy 617. Until 250 h, Alloy 617 specimens showed a parabolic oxidation behavior at all temperatures. The activation energy for oxidation in helium environment was 154 kJ/mol. The SEM and EDS results elucidated a Cr-rich surface oxide layer, Al-rich internal oxides and depletion of grain boundary carbides. The thickness and depths of degraded layers also showed a parabolic relationship with time. A normal grain growth was observed in the Cr-rich surface oxide layer. When corrosion tests were conducted in a pure helium environment, the oxidation was suppressed drastically. It was elucidated that minor impurity gases in the helium would have detrimental effects on the high-temperature corrosion behavior of Alloy 617 for the VHTR application.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
• /
• v.47 no.8
• /
• pp.482-487
• /
• 2009

In order to investigate the effects of intermediate heat treatment between cold rolling passes on the hardness and corrosion properties of a Zr alloy incorporating Nb (Zr-1.49Nb-0.38Sn-0.20Fe-0.11Cr) strip, three different intermediate heat treatment processes ($580^{\circ}C{\times}4hrs$, $600^{\circ}C{\times}2hrs$ and $620^{\circ}{\times}1hrs$) were designed based on a recrystallization map and an accumulated annealing parameter. Test samples from the different processes were investigated by a hardness test, corrosion test, and microstructure analysis and appropriate heat-treatment conditions were thereupon proposed. The sample subjected to an intermediate heat treatment of $580^{\circ}C{\times}4hrs$ was harder than that undergoing $600^{\circ}C{\times}2hrs$ and $620^{\circ}C{\times}1hr$ while the corrosion resistance of the sample that received an intermediate heat treatment of $580^{\circ}C{\times}4hrs$ was superior to that of the other specimens. Considering the trade-off of hardness and corrosion resistance, an intermediate heat treatment process of $600^{\circ}C{\times}2hrs$ is proposed to improve the manufacturing process of the alloy strip.