Friction and wear properties of CrSi-based coatings for nuclear fuel cladding

Abstract

Friction and wear performance is a key issue in the development of accident tolerant fuel cladding coatings and worthy of attention. In this study, two types of CrSi and CrSiN coatings with two different Si content ratios were prepared via a multi-arc ion plating method, and their wear depth, wear volume, and coefficient of friction were compared in detail. The results show that the four CrSi-based coatings have better anti-friction and wear resistant properties than Zircaloy, and the CrSi-based coatings with high Si content have better friction and wear properties than the CrSi-based coatings with low Si content. In addition, the friction and wear properties of the CrSiN coatings are better than those of the CrSi coatings. This study also examined the friction and wear properties of the CrSi-based coatings in a water environment and after high temperature oxidation. The results show that water promotes the friction and wear of CrSi and Zr-4, but inhibits the friction and wear of the CrSiN coating. After high temperature oxidation, an appropriate increase in the Si content was found to improve the friction and wear resistance of the CrSi-based coatings.