Abstract
20Cr–25Ni–Nb stabilised stainless steel is used to contain the fuel in the advanced gas cooled reactor. During operation, this steel must withstand temperatures from 600 to 1073 K in CO2 gas at 40 atm pressure. It is important that the oxide which forms on this steel is thoroughly characterised and the adherence of the oxide to the metal is understood. A technique of sputter ion plating has been used to remove the oxide from the metal without destroying either metal or oxide. This involves plating the oxide with nickel or molybdenum at a temperature of 600 K, while sputtering the surface with argon ions. On cooling, stresses set up between the oxide and the metal cause the oxide plus sputtered layer to peel off allowing both the metal and oxide sides of the interface to be examined. Results are presented from studies of the metal/oxide interface using scanning Auger microscopy. Analysis of grain centres and grain boundaries indicates that silicon and chromium play an important role in oxide/metal adhesion and, together with conventional analysis of the bulk oxide, assist in determining the oxidation mechanism.
MST/862
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