Session: New Developments and Recent Experiences With Nickel, Titanium, Zirconium, and Other High Alloyed Corrosion Resistant Materials
Effects of Heat Treatment on Zirconium Corrosion Behavior (C2026-00163)
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM Central
Location: 371 AB
Earn .5 PDH
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Zirconium is extensively used in chemical processing due to its exceptional resistance to corrosion, particularly in nitric acid environments. However, variations in microstructure—such as grain size differences resulting from heat treatment—can impact its corrosion behavior. This study explores how different heat treatments, designed to produce a range of grain sizes and microstructures, affect the corrosion performance of Zirconium 702 tubing. Electrochemical techniques including open circuit potential (OCP), linear polarization resistance (LPR), and cyclic potentiodynamic polarization (CPP) were employed in nitric acid and other corrosive media. To correlate corrosion behavior with microstructural features, metallurgical characterization was conducted using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Cross-sectional analysis of corroded specimens was also performed to assess penetration depth. The findings provide insights into how heat treatment and resulting microstructures influence corrosion susceptibility and passivation behavior in Zirconium 702, offering valuable guidance for material selection and processing in aggressive service environments.
