The radiation–size changes of pyrocarbon protective coatings on HTGR microfuel elements are analyzed. It is shown that there is a relationship between the microstructural inner pyrolytic layers and the formation of cracks in these layers as the irradiation dose accumulates. The effect of cracks in the inner pyrocarbon layers on the damage to the silicon carbide layer is examined. It is determined that incorporating into the inner pyrocarbon layer or forming on the inner pyrocarbon–silicon carbide interface compositions, for example, silicon carbide–carbon, Ti3SiC2, ZrC, TiC, and nitrides of Zr, Ti, and Al creates an obstacle to interior cracks, increasing the radiation-chemical resistance of the carbide layer and the microfuel as a whole.
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Translated from Atomnaya Énergiya, Vol. 106, No. 6, pp. 303–314, June, 2009.
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Kurbakov, S.D. Formation of multifunctional barriers to increase the radiochemical resistance of the protective coatings of HTGR fuel elements. At Energy 106, 377–388 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10512-009-9187-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10512-009-9187-1