Irradiation creep measurement and microstructural analysis of chromium nitride–coated zirconium alloy using pressurized tubes

Environmental barrier coatings for Zr-based materials are currently under development to reduce oxidation and embrittlement in light-water reactors. Chromium nitride is one such candidate for this application, particularly as accident-tolerant fuel cladding. However, quantifying the impact of coatings on the irradiation-induced creep of zircaloy (Zry) is critical as this mechanism often exceeds thermal creep rates under light-water reactor operating conditions and can be a limiting design characteristic. Additionally, examining irradiation effects in the microstructure at the coating interface is key to understanding the compatibility of the material system. To accelerate the experimental measurement of irradiation creep and microstructure evolution in CrN-Zry, compact, pressurized creep tubes were fabricated and irradiated in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Miniature, thin-walled rodlets fabricated from annealed Zr-Sn barstock were coated with CrN using physical vapor deposition (PVD) to nominal thicknesses of 4 and 8 μm. Coated and uncoated rodlet specimens were internally pressurized and welded, generating nominal circumferential hoop stresses of 0, 90, or 180 MPa under 300 ^∘C irradiation conditions. Twelve specimens were measured diametrically prior to irradiation using a low-cost, automated, contactless laser profilometer developed for this work. Specimens were irradiated in sealed capsules for one 25-day HFIR cycle, accumulating approximately 1.8 × 10 21 n / cm 2 fast fluence ( E n > 1.0 MeV ). The irradiated samples were retrieved and remeasured using the same profilometry system in a shielded hot cell facility. Irradiation creep between specimens was compared using standard statistical tests and showed that both thicknesses of CrN coating had a negligible effect on the irradiation creep strain of the Zry material. Microstructure characterization of pre- and post-irradiated CrN-Zry specimens showed minimal changes due to irradiation but did show a substantial O-rich region at the Zry-CrN interface.