Bulk and localized oxygen concentration measurements of steam-oxidized zircaloy-4 using nuclear analysis techniques

Quantitative measurement of both bulk and localized oxygen concentrations is of importance in the study of oxidation kinetics. We describe the combined application of two nuclear techniques, fast neutron activation analysis and (d, p) nuclear microprobe, to the determination of oxygen concentrations and surface profiles for steam-oxidized Zircaloy-4 cladding specimens. Results of measurements using these techniques are presented. Work partially supported by Electric Power Research Institute Contract T.S.A. No. 20.