Influence of gamma flux on the electrical conductivity of ZrO ₂ films and its relevance to corrosion in nuclear reactors

Abstract

Measurements of a.c. conductivity and thermoelectric power have been made on anodic and thermal oxide films on Van Arkel zirconium and Zircaloy 2; and some thermal films have been given subsequent anodic treatment. The results point to p-type electronic conductivity being predominant in such films at room temperature. Gamma irradiation at 1.05 × 107 rad h-1 did not affect the instantaneous conductivity of the films at 1592 c/s, other than by a slight warming effect, and dose effects are shown to be unlikely. It is argued, from both experiment and theory, that any effect of gamma irradiation on electron transport in corrosion films in high temperature water reactors is very unlikely. Accordingly, if electron transport controls corrosion, any effect of gamma flux on corrosion is unlikely.