Oxidation behavior of Cr-coated zirconium alloy cladding in high-temperature steam above 1200 °C

Abstract Dense, uniform, and well-adhered chromium (Cr) coatings were deposited on zirconium (Zr) alloy claddings by using physical vapor deposition (PVD). The Cr-coated samples tested at 1200 o C 1300 C, respectively, for different exposure time in water steam environment. Microstructures compositions of the coating/substrate system after oxidation characterized X-ray diffraction, scanning electronic microscopy, energy dispersion spectrometer. microstructural results clearly demonstrated that Cr 2 O 3 layer has been produced coating surface, acting as an oxygen diffusion barrier concomitantly reducing rate. experimental weight gains soundly supported findings could protect Zr substrate from high-temperature oxidation, even a temperature up to C. Finally, kinetics was theoretically analyzed underlying mechanism also clarified.