A Study of the Oxidation Behaviourof Fe-13Cr-6Al and Fe-12Cr-6Al-ODS as Candidate Accident Torerant Fuel Cladding Materials

Abstract

Numerous compositions of FeCrAl with varying chromium and aluminum contents have previously been studied with the goal of improving cladding steam oxidation tolerance under accident conditions while balancing mechanical and irradiation behaviour. A lean alloy of Fe-13Cr-6Al and an alloy of Fe-12Cr-6Al-ODS have been examined in this work for their oxidation kinetic behaviour. By conducting thermogravimetric analysis oxidation experiments on Fe-13Cr-6Al and the Fe-12Cr-6Al-ODS, reaction rate constants and activation energies were measured. These oxidation experiments support research efforts for the development of accident tolerant fuel technologies in partnership with Nippon Nuclear (Japan) and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (USA).