Corrosion and radiation resistant nanoceramic coatings for lead fast reactors
Abstract
Bare and Al2O3-coated austenitic steel samples are exposed to lead-fast-reactor relevant corrosive conditions.Selective leaching of Ni, Mn and Cr is observed in bare samples exposed to high temperature stagnant lead(550 DC, 10et8722;8 wt.percent oxygen, 1000 and 4000 h). By contrast, corrosion is not observed in either pristine (4000 h)or irradiated (1000 h) coated samples. Further characterization and testing methods include SEM, TEM, STEM,EDS, cyclic nanoimpact, microindentation, scratch, and thermal cycling. Overall, the results show that thecoatings retain structural integrity under the conditions investigated, which is a crucial prerogative for corrosionprotection with ceramic coatings.