Microstructure and high-temperature steam oxidation properties of thick Cr coatings prepared by magnetron sputtering for accident tolerant fuel claddings: The role of bias in the deposition process. (1st April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Q.S.; Liu, C.H.; Zhang, R.Q.; Yang, H.Y.; Wei, T.G.; Wang, Y.; Li, Z.; He, L.X.; Wang, J.; Wang, L.; Long, J.P.; Chang, H.
• Is Part Of: Corrosion science. Volume 165(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-04-01
• Subjects: Accident-tolerant fuel -- Magnetron sputtering -- Thick Cr coating -- High-temperature oxidation; Corrosion and anti-corrosives -- Periodicals; 620.11223
• DOI: 10.1016/j.corsci.2019.108378
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0010-938X

Abstract

Highlights: Thick Cr coatings were prepared on Zr-4 substrate by magnetron sputtering with a novel high deposition rate of 5 μm/h. The effect of sputtering bias on the high-temperature (1200 °C) steam oxidation resistance of the coating was investigated. The buckling and spallation of Cr2 O3 oxides were caused by the stress concentration. Abstract: Thick Cr coatings sized ∼27 μm were deposited on Zr-4 substrates by magnetron sputtering to improve the high-temperature oxidation resistance of Zr alloys for accident tolerant fuel claddings. The effects of the bias on the microstructure, mechanical properties and high-temperature oxidation resistance of the thick Cr coatings were investigated systematically. Oxidation tests showed that the Cr coatings with a bias of −50 V exhibit excellent oxidation resistance after steam oxidation at 1200 °C for 120 min, and can be used as an accident-tolerant fuel candidate material. The mechanism of high-temperature oxidation was also discussed in detail.