Abstract
This study investigates the behaviour of metallic beryllium under high-temperature corrosion in a water-steam-argon atmosphere under thermal cycling conditions using thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetric analysis (TGA/DSC). The experiments were conducted at three heating rates (10, 20, and 30 K/min), each including two thermal cycles (C1 and C2). Oxidation was evaluated by mass gain and thermal effects, and kinetic parameters ( Ea , K 0) were determined from logarithmic Arrhenius dependencies with normalisation to surface area and partial water vapour pressure. Two characteristic temperature ranges were established: initial thermal activation (775–1050 K) and high temperature (975–1170 K), as well as a transition zone between them. For the high-temperature region, the activation energy Ea = 146 kJ/mol and the pre-exponential factor K 0 = 2.41·10 −1 mg/(s·cm 2 ·Pa) were obtained. The results obtained deepen the understanding of the mechanisms of beryllium oxidation during thermal cycling and can be used to assess safety in nuclear fusion installations.