Oxidation of Zirconium and Zirconium Hydride Powders during Programmed Heating in Air

Abstract

The data on oxidation of zirconium and zirconium hydride powders during heating in air to 1373K at a rate of 10K/min were obtained using thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and mass spectrometry of reaction products. The specific heat release during oxidation of hydride powder was found to decrease due to the endothermic character of the decomposition reaction and the fact that the hydrogen combustion reaction takes place in the gaseous phase. The phase formation features in the processes of powders oxidation, their connection with the metal and hydride reactivity and the morphology of the reaction products were determined by the X-ray diffraction method.