Corrosion resistance performance of Hastelloy C276 in supercritical water reactor
The supercritical water coolant reactor is a type of generator catching more and more attention in the recent years for its high thermal efficiency and simple structure. The corrosion properties of the structural material used in these reactors with thin wall kept in touch of supercritical water limited its application. Considering the supreme mechanical properties and corrosion performance in the high temperatures, nickel base alloys are found to be suitable material use in supercritical water reactors. Essentially, nickel base alloys contain high concentration of nickel, chromium that could increase the oxidation and corrosion resistance of the nickel base alloys at high temperatures.
High mechanical strength and supremely tough Hastelloy C276 is used in high temperature applications. Additionally, it is found to have an outstanding high temperature corrosion resistance. Hastelloy C276 plate was cut into samples that were then mechanically polished and washed by ultrasound with acetone. After each exposure circle the samples were brought out for oxide scale characterization. Corrosion studies were performed at 500oC at pressure 25 MPa for time durations of 500 hour.
Results
After 50 hour exposure, a thick layer of oxide film is noticed on the surface. The granular oxide particles are also found dispersed on the alloy surface. The magnitude of oxide particles increased with increase in exposure durations. After 500 hours, nominal cracks are found on the surface of oxide layer. The composition of the oxide film and particles after 500 hour exposure is evaluated. It is noticed that the oxide layer developed on the alloy C276 surface is made of Nickel, iron, chromium, molybdenum and oxygen. Composition of the oxide layer remains stable with increase in immersion time.
The phase composition of the oxide layer developed on the sample subjected to SCW at 500oC and 25MPa for 500 hour was determined by X ray diffraction. It is found that the oxide layer is mainly made from NiO, Cr2O3, NiCr2O4 and MoO2. Although the diffraction intensity peaks of MoO2 are considerably decreased, showing the low concentration of which occurred in the oxide layer. Nickel and molybdenum are the base of alloy C276. The development of Cr2O3 in the oxide layer can prevent the ion transfer and significantly decrease the oxide reaction, hence reducing the growth rate of the oxide layer. The diffusion coefficient of the metal ions in spinal NiCr2O4 is certainly smaller than that in its own oxide and the presence of Ni2Cr2O4 is also helpful to enhance the corrosion resistance of alloy.
The cross section of Hastelloy C276 subjected to reactor water for 500 hour observed. The oxide layer developed is a dual layer structure and no crack is found between the inner and outer oxide layers. The outer layer is slightly thicker than the inner layer. The outer layer of the oxide layer is mainly Nickel rich and the inner layer is enriched of chromium.
The corrosion resistance of Hastelloy C276 is mainly associated to the properties of the oxide layer developed on its surface. The corrosion rate of Hastelloy C276 is quick and nickel and chromium are oxidized at the same time developing NiO and Cr2O3.














