Effects of Zn injection on corrosion behavior and crud deposition of FeCrAl fuel cladding under subcooled nuclear boiling condition in high-temperature pressurized water

The effects of Zn injection on corrosion behavior and crud deposition of FeCrAl fuel cladding in high-temperature pressurized water were investigated under subcooled nuclear boiling condition. The crud deposition and the growth of double-layered oxide films under the crud occurred simultaneously. Zn injection decreased the oxide films thickness and reduced the quantity/size of the outer oxide particles. These effects changed the surface roughness and wettability of the oxide films, resulting in a reduction of deposited crud at the initial stage. Both Zn and released matrix elements could be incorporated into the crud and Zn reduced the size of crud particles.