Microstructure characterization of oxidation of aluminized coating prepared by a combined process

• Published in: Journal of nuclear materials 2008-08, Vol.378 (2), p.134-138
• Main Authors: Liu, H.B., Tao, J., Xu, J., Chen, Z.F., Sun, X.J., Xu, Z.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Controled nuclear fusion plants; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Fission nuclear power plants; Fuels; Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy; Nuclear fuels
• ISSN: 0022-3115; 1873-4820
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jnucmat.2008.05.012

Alumina layer is a good candidate for the tritium penetration barrier that is important in the control of tritium losses due to permeation through structural materials used in high-temperature gas-cooled reactors and in fusion reactors. This paper describes the microstructure of the oxide film of the tritium penetration barrier formed on 316L stainless steel, which was prepared by a combined process, namely, aluminizing and oxidizing treatments using a double glow plasma technology. Microstructure and phase structure of the coatings investigated were examined by scanning electronic microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. The chemical composition and the chemical states of Al, O elements in the oxidation film were identified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). After aluminization, the typical microstructure of the coating mainly consisted of an outer high aluminum-containing intermetallic compound layer (Fe 2Al 5 and FeAl) and intermediate ferritic stainless steel (α Fe(Al))layer followed by the austenitic substrate. After the combined process, an oxide layer that consisted of Al 2O 3 and spinel FeAl 2O 4 had been successfully formed on the aluminizing coating surface, with an amorphous outmost surface and an underlying subsurface nanocrystalline structure.