Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rdxmf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-22T23:47:05.703Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Using EIS/PEDRA to Describe Barrier Oxide Films on Irradiated Zirconium Alloys

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 January 2014

Michael A. Maguire*
Affiliation:
Deep River, Ontario K0J 1J0, Canadawww.eispedra.com
Get access

Abstract

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and the Parallel Electrical Dielectric Response Analysis (PEDRA) application were used to describe the inner barrier oxide films on irradiated zirconium alloys. This is achieved with minimal surface preparation and without disturbing the outer porous oxide. These two distinguishable inner and outer oxide layers result from a growth-fracture oxidation mechanism. Key to success of the EIS technique in describing the barrier oxide layer are: 1) the model and procedure used to fit EIS spectra, 2) the validation of the fit, and 3) converting circuit parameters (R, C and n) into physical attributes of the barrier oxide.

The barrier oxide is defined as the inner-dense layer adjacent to the metal-oxide interface. The integrity of barrier oxide is thought to effect both oxidation (i.e. access of water to the interface), and hydrogen pickup (i.e. failure hydrogen to escape away from the interface). Using EIS and the PEDRA application, the barrier oxide is described in terms of multiple independent dielectric responses to yield a unique 'micro-macro' picture of the barrier oxide that can be used to explain observed H pickup behavior.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2014 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Urbanic, V.F., Warr, B.D., Manolescu, A., Chow, C.K., Shanahan, M.W.. Oxidation and Deuterium pickup of Zr-2.5Nb Pressure Tubes in CANDU-PHR Reactors, STP1023, ASTM Eighth International Symposium on Zirconium in the Nuclear Industry, San Diego, Calif. (1988), Van Swam, Leo F. P. and Eucken, Craig M., editors.Google Scholar
Bahurmuz, A.A., Muir, I.J., and Urbanic, V.F.. Predicting Oxidation and Deuterium Ingress for Zr-2.5Nb CANDU Pressure Tubes . Journal of ASTM International, Vol. 2, No. 5 (2005).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McRae, G.A., Maguire, M. A.. Electrochemical Impedance of Anodic Films on Zr-2.5Nb . Journal of The Electrochemical Society 149: B123B129.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McRae, G.A., Maguire, M.A., Jeffrey, C.A., Guzonas, D.A., Brown, C.A.. A Comparison of Fractal Dimensions Determined from Atomic Force Microscopy and Impedance Spectroscopy of Anodic Oxides on Zr-2.5Nb . Applied Surface Science 19: 94105 (2002).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Maguire, M.A., website: www.eispedra.com, Model Verification, Physical Attributes (2013).Google Scholar