Degradation of the Cr2O3 layer protectiveness caused by grain refinement during high-temperature oxidation of Cr coatings

To enhance the understanding of the failure mechanism of Cr coatings under simulated loss of coolant accident (LOCA) conditions in pressurized water reactors, an investigation into the isothermal oxidation behavior of Cr coatings in 1200 degrees C steam was conducted. The structure evolution of Cr coatings was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) methods. The obtained results reveal the formation of a three-layer structure during the 1200 degrees C steam oxidation process. This structure comprises a Cr2O3 layer, a residual Cr layer, and a ZrCr2 layer. Over time, the grains in the Cr2O3 layer undergo refinement, leading to an increase in grain boundaries. This phenomenon promotes the inward diffusion of oxidizing medium, contributing to understanding of the degradation of Cr2O3layer protectiveness after prolonged oxidation. These findings offer valuable insights into the failure mechanism of Cr coatings in high-temperature steam environments.