Commissariat &#xc0; L'&#xc9;nergie Atomique Et Aux &#xc9;nergies Alternatives

Commissariat a L'energie Atomique

Jean-Christophe Brachet

Fernando Lomello

Frédéric Schuster

Alain Billard

Marion Le Flem

Patrick Olier

Jacques Porta

Fédéric Schuster

Isabel Idarraga-Trujillo

Matthieu Le Saux

Maxy Noe

Philippe Parmentier

Pierre Beslu

Stéphane Urvoy

Christine Koralewski - Chabert

The invention relates to a nuclear fuel cladding comprising: i) a substrate containing a zirconium-based inner layer, optionally coated with at least one intermediate layer formed by at least one intermediate material selected from among tantalum, molybdenum, tungsten, niobium, vanadium, hafnium or the alloys thereof; and ii) at least one protective outer layer placed on the substrate and formed by a protective material selected from either chromium or an alloy of chromium. The nuclear fuel cladding produced using the method of the invention has improved resistance to oxidation/hydriding. The invention also relates to the method for the production of the nuclear fuel cladding by ion etching of the surface of the substrate and deposition of the outer layer on the substrate with a high power impulse magnetron sputtering method (HiPIMS), as well as to the use thereof to protect against oxidation and/or hydriding.

Nuclear fuel claddings, production method thereof and uses of same against oxidation/hydriding

An alloy of zirconium and niobium that includes erbium as a consumable neutron poison, its method of preparation and a component comprising said alloy are provided. This invention relates to an alloy of zirconium and niobium that includes erbium as a consumable neutron poison. The invention also relates to a method for the preparation and conversion of said alloy and a component comprising said alloy. Such an alloy is particularly intended for the manufacture of cladding and/or other elements or structural components of fuel assemblies for nuclear reactors using water as coolant.

Zirconium and niobium alloy comprising erbium, preparation method and component containing said alloy

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Villebon sur Yvette, France

Jean-Christophe Brachet