DIFFUSION OF HYDROGEN IN THE OXIDES OF ZR-1NB, ZR-2.5NB AND ZR-20NB ALLOYS

Hydrogen depth profiling by N-15 nuclear reaction analysis has been us ed to investigate diffusion of hydrogen in the oxides of Zr - Nb alloy s. The oxide films were implanted with H and the progressive dispersio n of the implanted hydrogen, as a result of annealing, was used to inv estigate the diffusion of hydrogen in the oxides. The results indicate that the oxides formed on Zr-1Nb and Zr-2.5Nb alloys have inter-conne cted pores and that the oxides of Zr-20Nb alloy have fewer pores with no inter-connections.