Raman Study of Oxide Layers on Zirconium Alloys

Abstract

The aim of this research was to study corrosion layers of two different zirconium alloys – E110 and Zircalloy-4W by Raman spectroscopy. These materials were chosen as they are commonly used as the nuclear fuel cladding. The experiments consisted of a long-term exposure of samples in a solution under conditions existing in primary loop of the VVER pressurised water reactors. The aim of the long-term exposition was to create the oxide layers; then the samples were exposed to high-temperature, high-pressure water with a high content of ¹⁸O. Subsequently, the samples were analysed by Raman spectroscopy in order to create distribution maps of ¹⁸O in the oxide layer. Differences were found in the composition of the oxide layers of both alloys.