Palladium Migration Through a Zirconium Carbide Coating in TRISO‐Coated Fuel Particles

Abstract

Reaction of ZrC with Pd at temperatures up to 1500°C was examined using ZrC/Pd composite, Pd/ZrC-coated TRISO particles, and Pd/ZrC bulk diffusion couples experiments. Intermetallic phase (Pd 3 Zr) and amorphous carbon at the ZrC-Pd interfaces were identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Moreover, thicknesses of Pd 3 Zr layers were measured by energydispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS). The validity of the reaction was proved by thermodynamic calculation. The reaction kinetics parameters, i.e., the activation energy (208.2-266.5 kJ/mol) and the reaction order (3.38-3.78) for Pd attacking through a ZrC coating in TRISO particles were determined based on both the DSC curves and the growth of the Pd 3 Zr layer.

The effect of deposition conditions on the properties of Zr-carbide, Zr-nitride and Zr-carbonitride coatings – a review

“…After Reynolds' initial work, research groups in Japan have worked towards developing this technology further in the subsequent decades. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] In addition, contributions to this field from researchers working in the United States, [15][16][17] France 18 and China [19][20][21][22] are also reported in the literature.…”

Microstructure, properties and applications of Zr-carbide, Zr-nitride and Zr-carbonitride coatings: a review

“…170 Over the years, considerable work evaluating properties of ZrC for use in nuclear fuel reactors has been undertaken. 80,81,91,92,[170][171][172][173][174][175][176][177][178][179][180][181] In nuclear reactors, the fuel in the reactor core is isolated from the coolant (operated at less than 600 1C) by using a fuel cladding made of ferritic or martensitic stainless steel. Chemical reactions between the fuel and the cladding material at elevated temperatures can threaten the integrity of the cladding.…”