b'modeling of the oxide layers stabilityintegrity of the coatings. WithFigure 2. Autoclave setup for corrosion to choose candidate elements andthis, a comprehensive view of theexperiments at NCSUcoating methods which wouldeffectiveness of each coating will be optimize oxide stability, adherencedeveloped and recommendations to substrate, and fuel performance.can be made on future coating Once chosen, the selected coatingssystems. While current literature of would be deposited onto SiC andSiC as an ATF rod cladding material tested by heat treating and corrodingremains extensive, metallic coatings the coatings in a simulated BWRon SiC have been rarely investigated environment. Once corroded, aand this research, if successful, combination of scanning electronwould bolster the feasibility of SiC microscopy (SEM), energy dispersivewithin nuclear environments. SiC spectroscopy (EDS), x-ray photo- composites coated with an extremely electron spectroscopy (XPS) andresistant metallic coating have the tunneling electron microscopy (TEM)potential to solve many of the safety would be utilized to characterize theconcerns related to the current quality and adherence of the coatings.generation of cladding, enhancing In parallel, nanoindentation willthe safety and reliability of the next be used to verify the mechanicalgeneration of reactors.2022|AFC ACCOMPLISHMENTS 53'