Hydrogen-induced disproportionation characteristics of Zr(1-x)Hf(x)Co(x=0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) alloys

Doping hafnium to partially substitute zirconium in ZrCo is a promising strategy to improve the ability to resist hydrogen-induced disproportionation. Herein, Zr(1 - x)Hf(x)Co(x = 0,0.1,0.2, and 0.3) alloys were fabricated by arc melting and the effect of hafnium substitution ratio and temperature on their hydrogen-induced disproportionation was studied. Additionally, the disproportionated products were characterized by XRD, DSC and TDS. Results showed that disproportionation rate and the extent of disproportionation decreased with hafnium substitution ratio increasing from 0 to 30% and increased with temperature increasing from 400 degrees C to 550 degrees C. It was exciting that Zr0.7Hf0.3Co alloy had much better ability of anti-disproportionation than ZrCo in hydrogen pressure of about 200 kPa when temperature increasing from 400 degrees C to 550 degrees C, which was practical for tritium application. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.