Interfacial Cracking Failure Mechanism of Chromium-Coated Zircaloy Cladding for ATF Materials

In this study, the interfacial cracking mechanism of Cr-coated Zircaloy cladding tubes was investigated through a combination of tensile testing, advanced microstructural characterization, and first-principle calculations. The results demonstrate the presence of an interlayer (33 nm) between the Cr...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xinfeng Li, Yang Liu, Yan Cui, Jun Hui, Jianxun Fu, Jin Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Metals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/2/179
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Summary:In this study, the interfacial cracking mechanism of Cr-coated Zircaloy cladding tubes was investigated through a combination of tensile testing, advanced microstructural characterization, and first-principle calculations. The results demonstrate the presence of an interlayer (33 nm) between the Cr coating and the Zr substrate, which consists of Cr and O elements. In comparison with the coherent Cr/interlayer interface, the incoherent interlayer/Zr interface is conducive to crack initiation and propagation, resulting from local high strain concentration generated by incompatible deformation between the interlayer and Zr substrate, and O-induced reductions in Cr/Zr interfacial cohesive strength.
ISSN:2075-4701