Physical properties of molten core materials: Zr-Ni and Zr-Cr alloys measured by electrostatic levitation

• Published in: Journal of nuclear materials 2017-03, Vol.485, p.129-136
• Main Authors: Ohishi, Yuji, Kondo, Toshiki, Ishikawa, Takehiko, Okada, Junpei T., Watanabe, Yuki, Muta, Hiroaki, Kurosaki, Ken, Yamanaka, Shinsuke
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alloys; Chemical reactions; Chromium base alloys; Degradation; Density; Electrostatic levitation technique; Ferrous alloys; Iron; Levitation; Liquid alloy; Liquid alloys; Liquid phases; Nickel base alloys; Physical properties; Severe accident; Stainless steel; Stainless steels; Surface tension; Temperature; Tension; Viscosity; Zircaloys (trademark); Zirconium base alloys; Zr-Cr; Zr-Ni
• ISSN: 0022-3115; 1873-4820
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jnucmat.2016.12.002

It is important to understand the behaviors of molten core materials to investigate the progression of a core meltdown accident. In the early stages of bundle degradation, low-melting-temperature liquid phases are expected to form via the eutectic reaction between Zircaloy and stainless steel. The main component of Zircaloy is Zr and those of stainless steel are Fe, Ni, and Cr. Our group has previously reported physical property data such as viscosity, density, and surface tension for Zr-Fe liquid alloys using an electrostatic levitation technique. In this study, we report the viscosity, density, and surface tension of Zr-Ni and Zr-Cr liquid alloys (Zr1-xNix (x = 0.12 and 0.24) and Zr0.77Cr0.23) using the electrostatic levitation technique. •The physical properties of Zr-Ni and Zr-Cr liquid alloys have been measured Zr1-xNix (x = 0.12 and 0.24) and Zr77Cr23.•The measurement was conducted using the electrostatic levitation technique.•The density, viscosity, and surface tension of each liquid alloy were measured.