Influence of Reactor Radiation on the Oxidation of Niobium

The effect of neutron irradiation at flux levels of ~ 10¹² nv on the oxidation characteristics of niobium was studied at temperatures near 400 C. No measurable change was detected either in the rate of oxidation of niobium or in the nucleation process associated with the oxidation of niobium. On the basis of estimates of the extent of radiation damage in thin oxide films, it was concluded that the damage resulting from irradiation at currently available neutron flux levels is unlikely to change the number of oxide lattice defects sufficiently to produce a significant change in the oxidation rate. It was thought though that alteration of a nucleation-type process was possible. 3.5.4, 6.3.5, 3.2.3