Abstract
The reaction of thorium with air, oxygen, oxygen-nitrogen, and oxygen-water vapor atmospheres has been studied in the temperature range of 400–1000°C using thermogravimetric analysis and metallographic and x-ray diffraction examination. It was demonstrated that H2O and N2 as well as O2 are involved in the reaction of thorium with air. Oxidation in pure oxygen followed a relatively slow rate. Faster rates and nonisothermal conditions were observed under certain conditions with mixed atmospheres. Above 600° C,N2 caused accelerated oxidation and scale color changes. The effects of H2O were similar but occurred below 600°C. The rate laws followed for reaction with air are complex combinations of cubic, parabolic, and linear laws.
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