지르칼로이-4의 고온 수증기 산화에서 압력효과

In the severe accident case like LOCA, Zircaloy(Zry) claddings are oxidized not only in high temperature but also in high pressures. It is a concem whether the safety of high bum up fuels can be maintained during severe accident. The effects of steam pressure on Zry-4 oxidation, and the effect of prc-existing oxide layer on the cladding in the high temperature-high pressure oxidation of Ziy-4 were investigated. The experimental temperature range was $700-900^{\circ}C$, and the pressures were between 0.1 and l5.0MPa. Partial pressure of steam tumed out to be the important one rather than total gas pressure. The higher the steam pressure was applied, the thicker the oxide became. nle effect of st,earn pressure on the oxidation of claddings with preexisting oxide was about 40-60% less effective than that of pickled cladding. Aocelerated oxidation in highpressure slean1 seems to be originated from the formation of microcracks produced during the transformation of tetragonal zirconia to monoclinic phase. Steam pressure seems to affect the stability of tetragonal phase.