REACTIONS BETWEEN U-ZR ALLOYS AND NITROGEN

The reactions of U-Zr alloys with nitrogen were studied at temperatures ranging from 873 to 1273 K. Electron probe microanalysis, wide angle and microbeam X-ray diffraction techniques were applied for the identification of reaction products. Adherent multi-layered scales were formed during the anneals under nitrogen pressures of 0.19 and 20 kPa. They were mainly composed of U2N3, ZrN and alpha-Zr(N). The scale thickness and morphology depended on the alloy compositions and temperatures.