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Development of zirconium-silicide coatings for accident tolerant zirconium-Alloy fuel cladding

  • Hwasung Yeom
  • , Ben Maier
  • , Robert Mariani
  • , David Bai
  • , Peng Xu
  • , Kumar Sridharan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Transition metal silicide compounds are generally known for their outstanding oxidation resistance at high temperatures. In this paper, we present our initial investigations on zirconium-silicide as a potential candidate coating material for enhancing accident tolerance of zirconium- Alloy fuel cladding used in light water reactors. Results of oxidation performance of bulk ZrSi2 in ambient air at 700 °C, 1000 °C, and 1200 °C are first presented. Following this, results of oxidation tests of ZrSi2 thin film coating deposited on Zircaloy-4 test flat substrates in ambient air at 700 °C are discussed. The thin film coatings were deposited using the physical vapor deposition (PVD) method, at room temperature. Samples from the above tests were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy in conjunction with energy dispersive spectroscopy and focused-ion beam sectioning, x-ray diffraction, and xray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results clearly demonstrate the outstanding oxidation resistance of ZrSi2, while coatings of this material exhibit superior oxidation resistance compared to the uncoated Zircaloy-4.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInternational Congress on Advances in Nuclear Power Plants, ICAPP 2016
PublisherAmerican Nuclear Society
Pages2126-2131
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9781510825949
StatePublished - 2016
Externally publishedYes
Event2016 International Congress on Advances in Nuclear Power Plants, ICAPP 2016 - San Francisco, United States
Duration: Apr 17 2016Apr 20 2016

Publication series

NameInternational Congress on Advances in Nuclear Power Plants, ICAPP 2016
Volume3

Conference

Conference2016 International Congress on Advances in Nuclear Power Plants, ICAPP 2016
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco
Period04/17/1604/20/16

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