Sealing magnesium alloys

A variety of fuel elanents are used for different types of reactors, but there are some common features. In most conunercial nnclear power plants (BWR [boiling water reactors] and PWR [pressurized water reactors] that are called in Russian VVER), the pellets are inserted into rods or tubes (usually zirconium alloys) that provide a barrier to prevent escape of fission products, the tubes or rods are arranged in bundles that are loaded into the reactor core. Usually a number of short rods are inserted into the sealed tube and held in place by a spring as described earlier. In some cases, like advanced gas cooled reactors (AGR), peUets are inserted into short narrow steel pins. Magnox reactors use magnesium alloys (usually with aluminum) rather the zirconium alloys. The fuel in some advanced reactors (TRISO) is in the form of microfuel particles with a UO2 (or UC (uranium carbide)) core surrounded by layers of pyrolytic carbon and... 

Shi P, Ng WF, Wong MH, Cheng FT. Improvement of corrosion resistance of pure magnesium in Hanks solution by microarc oxidation with sol—gel Ti02 sealing. J Alloys Compd 2009 469(l-2) 286-92. 

Song G-L. (2008a), An electroless e-coating bath sealing technique for anodized and conversion coated magnesium alloys , MPL-641(GM confidential report). 

Flammable gas. Very dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat, flame, or powerful oxidizers. Moderate explosion hazard when exposed to flame and sparks. Explodes on contact with interhalogens (e.g., bromine trifluoride, bromine pentafluoride), magnesium and alloys, potassium and alloys, sodium and alloys, zinc, Potentially explosive reaction with aluminum when heated to 152° in a sealed container. Mixtures with aluminum chloride + ethylene react exothermically and then explode when pressurized to above 30 bar. May ignite on contact with aluminum chloride or powdered aluminum. To fight fire, stop flow of gas and use CO2, dry chemical, or water spray. When heated to decomposition it emits highly toxic fumes of cr. See also CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS, ALIPHATIC. 

Anodized films are most often applied to protect aluminum alloys. However there are processes for other metals such as titanium, zinc, and magnesium. Anodized titanium is used in dental implants and sometimes in art and costume jewelry because it generates various colors without dyes. Each color depends on a specific thickness of the oxide [9]. To ensure the preparation of a consistent oxide layer, one must control conditions such as electrolytic concentrations, acidity, and current. Also a sealing process is often needed to achieve corrosion resistance because thick coatings (oxide layers) are generally porous. 

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