Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Protective Mo and Fe Coatings by CS and RF-ICP for PbLi Coolant Environments in Generation IV Fission Reactors

  • PEER REVIEWED
  • Published:
Journal of Thermal Spray Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Lead, lead–bismuth, and lead–lithium are candidate materials for liquid metal-based cooling media in the new generation of nuclear fission reactors and fusion systems. Despite the many benefits they offer, they also trigger a severe degradation of the structural steels in direct contact. One of the solutions to minimize the damage could be a deposition of thick, long-life protective coatings onto the steel surfaces. In our opening study, we have employed CS and RF-ICP technologies to deposit Mo and Fe coatings onto ferritic-martensitic type 9% Cr Eurofer-97 steel and its ODS variant, and tested them in the liquid PbLi environment at 600 °C for up to 1000 h. The results have shown that all coatings prevented the dissolution of the steels. On top of that, the Fe coatings also completely prevented the PbLi penetration, thereby providing a promising complex resistance to the corrosive medium.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. G. Federici, L. Boccaccini, F. Cismondi, M. Gasparotto, Y. Poitevin and I. Ricapito, An Overview of the EU Breeding Blanket Design Strategy as an Integral Part of the DEMO Design Effort, Fusion Eng. Des., 2019, 141, p 30-42.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. H. Horiike, S. Konishi, H. Kondo and A. Yamaguchi, Liquid Metal Cooling Issues For Fusion and Fission, Fusion Eng. Des., 2008, 83(7-9), p 943-947.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. P.F. Tortorelli and O.K. Chopra, Corrosion and Compatibility Considerations of Liquid Metals for Fusion Reactor Applications, J. Nucl. Mater., 1981, 103, p 621-632.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. H. Feuerstein, H. Grabner, J. Oschinski, J. Beyer, S. Horn, L. Horner, and K. Santo. Compatibility of 31 Metals, Alloys and Coatings with Static Pb-17Li Eutectic Mixture. Techreport FZK 5596, Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe, 1995

  5. J. Konys, W. Krauss, Z. Voss and O. Wedemeyer, Comparison of Corrosion Behavior of Bare and Hot-Dip Coated EUROFER Steel in Flowing Pb-17Li, J. Nucl. Mater., 2007, 367-370, p 1144-1149.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. J. Konys, W. Krauss, J. Novotny, H. Steiner, Z. Voss and O. Wedemeyer, Compatibility Behavior of EUROFER Steel in Flowing Pb-17Li, J. Nucl. Mater., 2009, 386-388, p 678-681.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Y. Li, H. Abe, T. Nagasaka, T. Muroga and M. Kondo, Corrosion Behavior of 9Cr-ODS Steel in Stagnant Liquid Lithium and Lead-Lithium at 873K, J. Nucl. Mater., 2013, 443(1-3), p 200-206.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. P.F. Tortorelli, Dissolution Kinetics of Steels Exposed in Lead-Lithium and Lithium Environments, J. Nucl. Mater., 1992, 191-194, p 965-969.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. O.K. Chopra and D.L. Smith, Compatibility of Ferrous Alloys in a Forced Circulation Pb-17Li System, J. Nucl. Mater., 1986, 141-143, p 566-570.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. M. Kondo, M. Takahashi, T. Tanaka, V. Tsisar and T. Muroga, Compatibility of Reduced Activation Ferritic Martensitic Steel JLF-1 with Liquid Metals Li and Pb-17Li, Fusion Eng. Des., 2012, 87(10), p 1777-1787.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. D. Brimbal, L. Beck, O. Troeber, E. Gaganidze, P. Trocellier, J. Aktaa and R. Lindau, Microstructural Characterization of Eurofer-97 and Eurofer- ODS Steels Before and After Multi-Beam Ion Irradiations at JANNUS Saclay Facility, J. Nucl. Mater., 2015, 465, p 236-244.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. S. Bassini, V. Cuzzola, A. Antonelli and M. Utili, Long-Term Corrosion Behavior of EU- ROFER RAFM Steel in Static Liquid Pb-16Li at 550 C, Fusion Eng. Des., 2020, 160, p 111829.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. W. Krauss, S.E. Wulf and J. Konys, Long-Term Corrosion Behavior of ODS-Eurofer in Flowing Pb-15.7Li at 550 C, Nucl. Mater. Energy, 2016, 9, p 512-518.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. J. Konys, W. Krauss, H. Steiner, J. Novotny and A. Skrypnik, Flow Rate Dependent Corrosion Behavior of Eurofer Steel in Pb-15.7Li, J. Nucl. Mater., 2011, 417(1-3), p 1191-1194.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. S. Ukai and M. Fujiwara, Perspective of ODS Alloys Application in Nuclear Environments, J. Nucl. Mater., 2002, 307-311, p 749-757.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. T.K. Kim, S. Noh, S.H. Kang, J.J. Park, H.J. Jin, M.K. Lee, J. Jang and C. Rhee, Current status and Future Prospective of Advanced Radiation Resistant Oxide Dispersion Strengthened Steel (ARROS) Development for Nuclear Reactor System Applications, Nucl. Eng. Technol., 2016, 48(2), p 572-594.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. O. Yeliseyeva, V. Tsisar and Z. Zhou, Corrosion Behavior of Fe-14Cr-2W and Fe-9Cr-2W ODS Steels in Stagnant Liquid Pb with Different Oxygen Concentration at 550 and 650 C, J. Nucl. Mater., 2013, 442(1-3), p 434-443.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. B.A. Pint, The Effect of Coatings on the Compatibility of Fe-Cr Steels with Pb-Li, J Nucl Mater., 2011, 417(1-3), p 1195-1199.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. M. Utili, S. Bassini, S. Cataldo, F. Di Fonzo, M. Kordac, T. Hernandez, K. Kunzova, J. Lorenz, D. Martelli, B. Padino, A. Morono, M. Tarantino, C. Schroer, G. Alessandro Spagnuolo, L. Vala, M. Vanazzi and A. Venturini, Development of Anti-Permeation and Corrosion Barrier Coatings for the WCLL Breeding Blanket of the European DEMO, Fusion Eng. Des., 2021, 170, p 112453.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. M.C. Gazquez, S. Bassini, T. Hernandez and M. Utili, Al2O3 Coating as Barrier Against Corrosion in Pb-17Li, Fusion Eng. Des., 2017, 124, p 837-840.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. J.L. Courouau and D. Feron. Corrosion of structural materials by liquid metals used fusion, fission and spallation. In IAEA Workshop on Challenges for coolants in fast spectrum system. International Atomic Energy Agency, 2017.

  22. D. Feron, Nuclear Corrosion Science and Engineering, Elsevier Science and Technology, Amsterdam, 2012.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  23. J. Cizek, M. Vilemova, F. Lukac, M. Koller, J. Kondas and R. Singh, Cold Sprayed Tungsten Armor for Tokamak First Wall, Coatings, 2019, 9(12), p 836.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. M.I. Boulos, RF Induction Plasma Spraying: State-of-the-art Review, J. Therm. Spray Technol., 1992, 1(1), p 33-40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. O. Kovarik, J. Cizek, J. Klecka, M. Karlik, J. Capek, J. Siegl, T. Chraska and S. Takayasu, Mechanical Properties and Fatigue Crack Growth in Tungsten Deposited by RF-Plasma, Surf. Coat. Technol., 2021, 410, p 126930.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. J. Klecka, J. Cizek, J. Matejicek, F. Lukac, R. Zlatnik and T. Chraska, Tailoring the Structure of RF-ICP Tungsten Coatings, Surf. Coat. Technol., 2021, 406, 126745.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. C.M. Kay and J. Karthikeyan, High Pressure Cold Spray, ASM International, Almere, 2016.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  28. J. Cizek, O. Kovarik, J. Cupera, J. Kondas, T. Bajer, F. Siska, M. Janovska and H. Seiner, Measurement of Mechanical and Fatigue Properties using Unified, Simple-Geometry Specimens: Cold Spray Additively Manufactured Pure Metals, Surf Coat Technol, 2021, 412, 126929.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. R. Husak, H. Hadraba, Z. Chlup, M. Heczko, T. Kruml and V. Puchy, ODS EUROFER Steel Strengthened by Y-(Ce, Hf, La, Sc, and Zr) Complex Oxides, Metals, 2019, 9(11), p 1148.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. J. Cizek, J. Klecka, and L. Babka. Thick protective Fe coatings for PbLi coolant environ- ments. In Proceedings of International Conference Nuclear Energy for New Europe, pp. 703-710. Nuclear Society of Slovenia, 2021.

  31. G. Mauer, How Hydrogen Admixture Changes Plasma Jet Characteristics in Spray Processes at Low Pressure, Plasma Chem Plasma Process, 2020, 41(1), p 109-132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. M.F. Smith, A.C. Hall, J.D. Fleetwood and P. Meyer, Very Low Pressure Plasma Spray—A Review of an Emerging Technology in the Thermal Spray Community, Coatings, 2011, 1(2), p 117-132.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. T. Schmidt, F. Gaertner, H. Assadi and H. Kreye, Development of a Generalized Parameter Window for Cold Spray Deposition, Acta Mater., 2006, 54(3), p 729-742.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. K. Binder, F. Gaertner and T. Klassen, Influence of Nozzle Geometry and IM-Pact Parameters on Microstructure and Properties of Kinetically Sprayed Titanium, TiAl6V4 and Molybdenum Coatings, Therm. Spray Bull., 2012, 5, p 40-46.

    Google Scholar 

  35. A. Vaidya, T. Streibl, L. Li, S. Sampath, O. Kovarik and R. Greenlaw, An Integrated Study of Thermal Spray Process-Structure-Property Correlations: A Case Study for Plasma Sprayed Molybdenum Coatings, Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2005, 403(1-2), p 191-204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. J. Xianliang and M. Boulos, Radio Frequency Induction Plasma Spraying of Molybdenum, Plasma Sci. Technol., 2003, 5(4), p 1895-1900.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. O. Kovarik, X. Fan and M. Boulos, In Flight Properties of W Particles in an Ar-H2 Plasma, J. Therm. Spray Techn., 2007, 16(2), p 229-237.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. X. Jiang, J. Matejicek and S. Sampath, Substrate Temperature Effects on the Splat Formation, Microstructure Development and Properties of Plasma Sprayed Coatings, Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 1999, 272(1), p 189-198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. M. Janovska, P. Sedlak, J. Cizek, M. Koller, F. Siska and H. Seiner, Characterization of Bonding Quality of a Cold-Sprayed Deposit by Laser Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy, Ultrasonics, 2020, 106, p 106140.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Y. Xie, N. Fan, J. Yang, W. Li, R. Lupoi, X. Guo, R. Huang and S. Yin, Improvement of Tensile Strength of Cold Sprayed Fe Deposits via in-Process Powder Preheating, Mater. Lett., 2022, 316, p 132090.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. D. Guo, M. Kazasidis, A. Hawkins, N. Fan, Z. Leclerc, D. MacDonald, A. Nastic, R. Nikbakht, R. Ortiz-Fernandez, S. Rahmati, M. Razavipour, P. Richer, S. Yin, R. Lupoi and B. Jodoin, Cold Spray: Over 30 Years of Development Toward a Hot Future, J. Therm. Spray Techn., 2022, 31(4), p 866-907.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. J. Cizek, O. Man, P. Roupcova, K. Loke and I. Dlouhy, Oxidation Performance of Cold Spray Ti-Al Barrier Coated Gamma-TiAl Intermetallic Substrates, Surf. Coat. Technol., 2015, 268, p 85-89.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. J. Ilavsky, C.C. Berndt and J. Karthikeyan, Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry Of Plasma-Sprayed Ceramic, J. Mater. Sci., 1997, 32, p 3925-3932.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Czech Science Foundation project 20-20873S is gratefully acknowledged. R. Zlatnik is acknowledged for the RF-ICP chamber image rendering.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Plasma Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic

    Jan Cizek, Jakub Klecka & Radek Musalek

  2. Department of Materials, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Czech Technical University, Prague, Czech Republic

    Lukas Babka

  3. Institute of Physics of Materials of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic

    Hynek Hadraba

  4. Impact Innovations, GmbH., Rattenkirchen, Germany

    Jan Kondas & Reeti Singh

  5. Research Centre Rez, Husinec, Czech Republic

    Martina Pazderova

Authors
  1. Jan Cizek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jakub Klecka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Lukas Babka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Radek Musalek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Hynek Hadraba
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Jan Kondas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Reeti Singh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Martina Pazderova
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jan Cizek.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

This article is an invited paper selected from presentations at the 2022 International Thermal Spray Conference, held May 4–6, 2022 in Vienna, Austria, and has been expanded from the original presentation. The issue was organized by André McDonald, University of Alberta (Lead Editor); Yuk-Chiu Lau, General Electric Power; Fardad Azarmi, North Dakota State University; Filofteia-Laura Toma, Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology; Heli Koivuluoto, Tampere University; Jan Cizek, Institute of Plasma Physics, Czech Academy of Sciences; Emine Bakan, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH; Šárka Houdková, University of West Bohemia; and Hua Li, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, CAS.

Supplementary Information

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Cizek, J., Klecka, J., Babka, L. et al. Protective Mo and Fe Coatings by CS and RF-ICP for PbLi Coolant Environments in Generation IV Fission Reactors. J Therm Spray Tech 32, 363–374 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11666-022-01519-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11666-022-01519-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation