Experimental Comparison of the Behavior of E110 and E110G Claddings at High Temperature

A new experimental program was carried out in order to compare the behavior of E110 and E110G type alloys at high temperature. The program included differential scanning calorimetry studies on the phase transition process, ballooning and burst tests, oxidation in steam and hydrogen rich steam atmospheres, ring compression tests of oxidized samples and posttest examination with optical and scanning electron microscopes. The two alloys showed very similar behavior in the non-oxidized state. The phase transitions took place practically in the same range of temperature and the cladding burst due to ballooning also happened under similar conditions. The oxidation caused significant differences. The breakaway oxidation typical for E110 could not be observed with E110G samples. The E110G had much better load bearing capabilities in oxidized state and did not pick up as much hydrogen as the other alloy did.