| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2020 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Coatings and Surface Engineering for Environmental Protection II
|
| Presentation Title |
C-4: Development of Corrosion Barrier Coatings for U3Si2 Nuclear Fuel Pellets for Light Water Reactors |
| Author(s) |
John P. Lacy, Hwasung Yeom, Lu Cai, Kathryn Metzger, Edward Lahoda, Kumar Sridharan |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
John P. Lacy |
| Abstract Scope |
U3Si2 is being considered for accident tolerant fuel due to superior thermal properties as a result of its higher uranium density compared to UO2. However, published data shows that U3Si2 may experience hydrothermal corrosion in leaking fuel rod conditions, wherein the fuel cladding is breached leading to contact between the water coolant and the fuel pellet. To mitigate the corrosion, the U3Si2 pellets may be coated with a hydrothermal barrier coating to minimize pellet degradation. Several coating options have been investigated to inhibit the corrosion of U3Si2 pellets for commercial applications. These options include oxidation resistant glass, ceramic, and metallic coatings. The coatings were applied to surrogate substrates using dip coating, PVD, and CVD methods. Initial characterization consisted of SEM-EDS and XRD analyses. After characterization, the coated samples were subjected to a pressurized steam autoclave for evaluation of the corrosion behavior in prototypical reactor operation conditions. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: Supplemental Proceedings volume |