Analysis of Inconel 600 Oxidized Under Loss-of-coolant Accident Conditions: A Multi-Modal Approach

Abstract Understanding the performance of cladding materials during a loss-of-coolant accident scenario is crucial for developing next-generation accident tolerant nuclear fuel rod claddings. We describe a multi-modal approach combining synchrotron-based diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy with nano-scale electron microscopy techniques for investigating oxidation of Inconel 600 (A600) in steam and air environments at 1200°C for 2 h. We report that A600 exposed to steam develops a Cr2O3-enriched surface layer while a mixed phase oxide layer containing NiFe2O4, Cr2O3, Fe3O4 and Fe(3–x)CrxO4 is formed in air. Mechanism of oxidation for A600 in air and steam environments is discussed.