Plasma nitriding of depleted uranium

Long Zhong; Xue Yabin; Xu Qingdong; Luo Lizhu; Lu Lei; Hu Yin; Liu Kezhao

doi:10.11884/HPLPB202436.240359

Volume 36 Issue 12

Nov. 2024

Turn off MathJax

Article Contents

Article Navigation > High Power Laser and Particle Beams > 2024 > 36(12): 126002

Long Zhong, Xue Yabin, Xu Qingdong, et al. Plasma nitriding of depleted uranium[J]. High Power Laser and Particle Beams, 2024, 36: 126002. doi: 10.11884/HPLPB202436.240359

Citation:

Long Zhong, Xue Yabin, Xu Qingdong, et al. Plasma nitriding of depleted uranium[J]. High Power Laser and Particle Beams, 2024, 36: 126002. doi: 10.11884/HPLPB202436.240359

Long Zhong, Xue Yabin, Xu Qingdong, et al. Plasma nitriding of depleted uranium[J]. High Power Laser and Particle Beams, 2024, 36: 126002. doi: 10.11884/HPLPB202436.240359

Citation:

Long Zhong, Xue Yabin, Xu Qingdong, et al. Plasma nitriding of depleted uranium[J]. High Power Laser and Particle Beams, 2024, 36: 126002. doi: 10.11884/HPLPB202436.240359

PDF( 942 KB)

Plasma nitriding of depleted uranium

doi: 10.11884/HPLPB202436.240359

Institute of Materials, CAEP, Mianyang 621908, China

Received Date: 2024-09-13
Accepted Date: 2024-10-25
Rev Recd Date: 2024-10-25

Available Online: 2024-10-29

Publish Date: 2024-11-08

Abstract

Abstract

To enhance the corrosion resistance of depleted uranium surfaces, a comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of three plasma nitriding technologies: Plasma Source Ion Implantation (PSII), Glow Discharge Plasma Nitriding (GDPN), and Hollow Cathode Plasma Nitriding (GDPN). The composition, structure and chemical state of the nitrided layers were analysed using a range of material analysis methods. The nitrides present in the three nitrided layers are predominantly α-U₂N₃. Due to the strong affinity between uranium metal and oxygen, all three plasma nitriding processes have introduced oxygen impurities to varying degrees. PSII is capable of breaking through the thermodynamic equilibrium and converting some of the oxides into nitrides, while GDPN and HCPN can form nitrides through surface reactions and thermal diffusion. HCPN technology has certain advantages in controlling the oxygen impurities, and can significantly reduce the oxygen impurities in the nitrided layer. The results of the wet heat corrosion and electrochemical tests demonstrate that plasma nitriding can markedly enhance the corrosion resistance of depleted uranium. The degree of improvement achieved by HCPN and GDPN is superior to that of PSII, with HCPN technology exhibiting the most favourable outcome. The findings of this study could provide a reference for plasma nitriding treatment of reactive metals..
- depleted uranium,
- plasma nitriding,
- surface treatment,
- corrosion resistance

FullText(HTML)

References(17)

References

[1]	Colmenares C A. The oxidation of thorium, uranium, and plutonium[J]. Progress in Solid State Chemistry, 1975, 9: 139-239. doi: 10.1016/0079-6786(75)90016-3
[2]	Mattox D M, Bland R D. Aluminum coating of uranium reactor parts for corrosion protection[J]. Journal of Nuclear Materials, 1967, 21(3): 349-352. doi: 10.1016/0022-3115(67)90189-4
[3]	Chang F, Levy M, Jackman B, et al. Assessment of corrosion-resistant coatings for a depleted uranium-0.75 titanium alloy[J]. Surface and Coatings Technology, 1991, 48(1): 31-39. doi: 10.1016/0257-8972(91)90126-H
[4]	Chang F C, Levy M, Huie R, et al. Adhesion and corrosion behavior of Al-Zn and TiN/Ti/TiN coatings on a DU-0.75wt. % Ti alloy[J]. Surface and Coatings Technology, 1991, 49(1/3): 87-96.
[5]	Musket R G. Applications of ion implantation for modifying the interactions between metals and hydrogen gas[J]. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 1989, 40/41: 591-594.
[6]	Crusset D, Bernard F, Sciora E, et al. Modification of the hydriding kinetics of U-0.2wt. %V alloy using ion implantations[J]. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 1994, 204(1/2): 71-77.
[7]	Arkush R, Mintz M H, Shamir N. Passivation of uranium towards air corrosion by N₂⁺ and C⁺ ion implantation[J]. Journal of Nuclear Materials, 2000, 281(2/3): 182-190.
[8]	Arkush R, Brill M, Zalkind S, et al. The effect of N₂⁺ and C⁺ implantation on uranium hydride nucleation and growth kinetics[J]. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2002, 330/332: 472-475. doi: 10.1016/S0925-8388(01)01537-7
[9]	Arkush R, Mintz M H, Kimmel G, et al. Long-term amorphisation of C⁺ and N₂⁺ implanted layers on a uranium surface[J]. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2002, 340(1/2): 122-126.
[10]	Raveh A, Arkush R, Zalkind S, et al. Passivation of uranium metal by radio-frequency plasma nitriding against gas phase (H₂, H₂O) corrosion[J]. Surface and Coatings Technology, 1996, 82(1/2): 38-41.
[11]	Yeamans C B, Silva G W C, Cerefice G S, et al. Oxidative ammonolysis of uranium(IV) fluorides to uranium(VI) nitride[J]. Journal of Nuclear Materials, 2008, 374(1/2): 75-78.
[12]	Silva G W C, Yeamans C B, Ma Longzhou, et al. Microscopic characterization of uranium nitrides synthesized by oxidative ammonolysis of uranium tetrafluoride[J]. Chemistry of Materials, 2008, 20(9): 3076-3084. doi: 10.1021/cm7033646
[13]	Black L, Miserque F, Gouder T, et al. Preparation and photoelectron spectroscopy study of UN_x thin films[J]. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2001, 315(1/2): 36-41.
[14]	Mändl S, Gerlach J W, Assmann W, et al. Phase formation and diffusion after nitrogen PIII in molybdenum[J]. Surface and Coatings Technology, 2003, 174/175: 1238-1242. doi: 10.1016/S0257-8972(03)00457-2
[15]	Möller W, Parascandola S, Kruse O, et al. Plasma-immersion ion implantation for diffusive treatment[J]. Surface and Coatings Technology, 1999, 116/199: 1-10.
[16]	Liu Kezhao, Wang Xiaofang, Liu Jing, et al. Nitride layers on uranium surfaces[J]. Progress in Surface Science, 2018, 93(3): 47-84. doi: 10.1016/j.progsurf.2018.08.002
[17]	Long Zhong, Luo Lizhu, Lu Yong, et al. Study on the electronic structure of α-U₂N₃ by XPS and first principles[J]. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2016, 664: 745-749. doi: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2016.01.013