| abstract |
A composition and method of kinetically depositing the composition to form a coating onto an exterior surface of a zirconium alloy cladding of a light water nuclear reactor which at least partially adheres to the exterior surface. The coating composition includes a first component and a second component. The first component is selected from the group consisting of zirconium, zirconium oxide and mixtures thereof. The second component is selected from the group consisting of Zr 2 AlC ceramic, Ti 2 AlC ceramic, Ti 3 AlC 2 ceramic, Al 2 O 3 , aluminum, zirconium silicide, amorphous and semi-amorphous alloyed stainless steel, and mixtures of Zr 2 AlC ceramic, Ti 2 AlC ceramic and Ti 3 AlC 2 ceramic. The coating has a gradient emanating from the exterior surface of the cladding toward an exposed outer surface of the coating such that percent by weight of the first component decreases and the second component increases from the exterior surface of the cladding toward the exposed outer surface of the coating. |