Effects of Li, B and H elements on corrosion property of oxide films on ZIRLO alloy in 300 °C/14 MPa lithium borate buffer solutions

Abstract

Bare and plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO)-coated ZIRLO alloys were exposed in 300 °C/14 MPa lithium borate solutions, then the distributions of Li, B and H elements in the oxide films were measured by glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GDOES). The PEO film can protect the ZIRLO alloy from the corrosion attack of Li＋. Addition of H3BO3 into the LiOH solution suppressed the diffusion of Li element into oxide film to mitigate the LiOH corrosion for ZIRLO alloy, while LiOH could also inhibit the entrance of B element. The enrichment of H near the oxide film/Zr interface was detected.