hydrogen permeation

localized corrosion

corrosion behavior

oxidation resistance

hydrogen embrittlement

corrosion behaviour

type stainless

Corrosion Science

Zr-1Nb alloy performs desired corrosion resistance in deionized water but shows accelerated corrosion in lithiated water. However, the degradation mechanism of Zr-1Nb alloy in lithiated water is still unclear. In this work, blister-like morphologies on the oxide film of the Zr-1Nb alloy corroded in lithiated water was observed, providing a direct evidence to the hydrogen generation beneath the oxide film. The formation of blisters was analysed from the perspectives of blister morphology and hydrogen uptake behaviour. A high hydrogen release rate contributes to the formation of blisters and degrades the protectiveness of oxide film and corrosion resistance after corrosion transition.

Analysis of blister-like morphology on the oxide film of Zr-1Nb alloy corroded in lithiated water