LAYER PROTECTING THE SURFACE OF ZIRCONIUM ALLOYS USED IN NUCLEAR REACTORS

Investigator
  • R.Škoda
  • J. Škarohlíd
Laboratory / Department
Department of Functional Materials
Patent number
Patent EP3047046
Date of award
The protection of zirconium alloys surfaces by homogenous polycrystalline diamond layers may be applied to a wide range of functional elements for nuclear reactors, such as fuel rod elements. This involves, in particular, parts of commercially operated power producing light-water reactors PWR, BWR, VVER and heavy-water reactors CANDU. The described protective layer significantly increases such reactors’ operation safety.