Russian scientists have developed a new coating method for nuclear fuel cells, increasing their corrosion resistance

Despite the fact that the peaceful atom has already been in operation around the world for more than a dozen years, there are still several rather acute problems with water-cooled reactors. Thus, in the event of overheating, the outer cladding of a fuel element (fuel element), consisting mainly of zirconium, undergoes severe corrosion, which can lead to rather unpredictable consequences.

And it seems that Russian scientists from Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU) have found a solution to this problem.

How scientists solved this problem

As you know, during the so-called steam-zirconium reaction, the process of release of explosive hydrogen occurs, and directly cladding of fuel cells rather quickly lose their insulating properties, which can soon lead to the loss of tightness of TVEL.

TPU engineers proposed to significantly increase the strength of the protective shell by forming a special coating on their surface.

So, in the course of numerous experiments, scientists managed to obtain a coating with increased strength, rather environmentally friendly and, which is important, quite cheap.

It turned out that this balance is achieved through the use of silicon carbide, which is deposited on the zirconium shell using selective laser sintering.

Scientists have determined exactly the mode during which the deposited material is sintered with a minimum content of pores and reliable adhesion to the metal.

In addition, scientists have also pioneered the use of so-called ultrasound imaging to monitor the integrity of protective coatings on zirconium metals.

Russian scientists intend to continue working on the improvement of a new protective coating on parts of complex shapes and the development of monitoring through ultrasound tomography.

Well, we will follow the progress of Russian scientists and the introduction of the latest technologies into full-fledged commercial use.

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