Scale up of a DLI-MOCVD process for the internal treatment of a batch of 16 nuclear fuel cladding segments with a CrCx protective coating

Direct liquid injection – metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (DLI-MOCVD) is the most advanced process dedicated to the internal protection of nuclear fuel cladding in accident conditions such as loss of coolant. It allows the deposition of an amorphous, glassy-like chromium carbide CrCx coating which is resistant against high-temperature oxidation in air and steam. Since the above-mentioned material characterizations demonstrated that coatings possessed the appropriate protection properties, the DLI-MOCVD process was scaled-up.