Mobilization Processes from Vanadium Alloys During Oxidation

The mobilization of several elements from vanadium alloys in flowing air was measured for temperatures between 600 and 1200°C. Alloys with nominal compositions of V-5Cr-5Ti and minor amounts of calcium, scandium, and manganese added to simulate transmutation products were prepared by powder metallurgy. Mobilization of the three major alloying elements and the three minor additions was measured using a transpiration test method. Volatilization of sodium was modeled based upon equilibrium concentrations of this metal on the oxide scale resulting from the dissociation of Na₂O, the concentrations of vanadium oxides (V₂O₄ and V₂O₅), and the oxygen content in the gas above the sample.