Experimental evaluation of direct current magnetron sputtered and high-power impulse magnetron sputtered Cr coatings on SiC for light water reactor applications

Quillin, Kyle; Yeom, Hwasung; Dabney, Tyler; McFarland, Mike; Sridharan, Kumar

doi:10.1016/j.tsf.2020.138431

Experimental evaluation of direct current magnetron sputtered and high-power impulse magnetron sputtered Cr coatings on SiC for light water reactor applications

Journal Article · Thu Nov 12 00:00:00 EST 2020 · Thin Solid Films

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsf.2020.138431· OSTI ID:1850564

Quillin, Kyle ^[1]; Yeom, Hwasung ^[2]; ^[3]; ^[4]; Sridharan, Kumar ^[5]

Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States). Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering; Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States)
Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States). Dept. of Engineering Physics
Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States). Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering
Acree Technologies Incorporated, Concord, CA (United States)
Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States). Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering; Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States). Dept. of Engineering Physics

Two types of physical vapor deposition Cr coatings were deposited on chemical vapor deposited SiC coupons using conventional direct current magnetron sputtering (DCMS) and high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) to mitigate the corrosion of SiC, an advanced fuel and structural material in light water nuclear reactor cores. Coating microstructure was characterized using scanning electron microscopy and scanning transmission election microscopy. X-ray diffraction analysis was conducted for phase identification and qualitative analysis of residual stresses. The mechanical integrity of the coatings was evaluated using scratch testing, micro-indentation, and nano-indentation tests. Additionally, the microstructure of the DCMS coating consisted of fine columnar grains with nanoscale intercolumnar channels, while the HiPIMS microstructure was denser and free of any columnar defects. The DCMS coating showed a small tensile residual stress, while the HiPIMS coating was under compressive stress. Both types of coatings showed good mechanical integrity in terms of ductility and adhesion to the substrate. Corrosion performance of the coatings was assessed with a 30-day high temperature water autoclave test. Both types of coatings formed a protective Cr₂O₃ surface layer 20-30 nm thick during the autoclave test. In the DCMS coating, the columnar defects provided permeation pathways for water penetration resulting in oxide formation in the intercolumnar regions in the interior of the coating. Overall, both types of Cr coatings offer promise for the mitigation of hydrothermal corrosion of SiC in light water reactor operating environments.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE; USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)

Grant/Contract Number:: NE0008800

OSTI ID:: 1850564

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1776249

Journal Information:: Thin Solid Films, Journal Name: Thin Solid Films Journal Issue: C Vol. 716; ISSN 0040-6090

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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