INVESTIGATION OF THE CORROSION ASPECTS OF SELECTED ALUMINUM ALLOYS. Pathfinder Atomic Power Plant. Final Report

Abstract

A literature survey and experimental results from investigations of aluminum corrosion under both static and dynamic test conditions are presented. Static corrosion tests were made on 8001, 8001 + 2.5% Mg and X2219 clad with M400 aluminum alloys. Dynamic corrosion tests were made only on the 8001 alloy. These tests were performed in three identical dynamic corrosion test loops. Initial tests in each loop were made to investigate corrosion behavior in high purity water at high temperatures and high flow velocities. Reproducibility tests were also carried out. An evaluation was made of aluminum-surface-area-to- watervolume-ratio effects on corrosion resistance. Prefilmed sample tests in which test specimens were prefilmed at two different temperatures in a static autoclave prior to the dynamic tests were also made. Results indicated that the corrosion rates of the 8001 aluminum alloy were too high for an economical design of the reactor core. A considerable amount of uncertainty was found to exist in the corrosion literature, as well as in the experimental data, regarding effects of various test parameters on corrosion behavior of this alloy. Time limitations for application to the Pathfinder reactor prohibited further investigation of this material. Consequently, a recommendation of the 8001 aluminum alloy as the boiling water reactor core cladding material, operating at Pathfinder conditions, could not be made. (auth)