It Is Feasible To Prepare IFBA Coating With Domestic Zirconium Boride Target

The latest research direction is the performance of IFBA coating prepared by domestic zirconium target and compared with the performance of imported target to characterize the sputtering performance of domestic zirconium boride target. The current production process parameters were used to carry out the coating test, the 10B loading, adhesion, impurity content, and total hydrogen content of the coated pellets were analyzed, and the composition, material, and chemical properties of the IFBA pellets prepared from targets with different sputtering states were analyzed. Phase and coating microstructure was analyzed. The research results show that the vapor deposition of the domestic zirconium boride target is stable during the continuous sputtering process, and the 10B loading, adhesion, impurity content, and total hydrogen content all meet the technical requirements of IFBA pellets; the ZrB2 coating combines well with the UO2 matrix, The coating is uniform, and the phase composition, chemical composition and microscopic morphology of the coating are consistent with the coating prepared by the imported target, and the domestic target can meet the needs of the IFBA pellet preparation technology. 

10B-enriched ZrB2 target is used to prepare IFBA pellets for AP1000 reactor fuel elements, and ZrB2 coating is applied on the surface of UO2 to adjust the reactivity of the reactor, improve the utilization rate of nuclear fuel, reduce the cost of nuclear power, and prolong the nuclear fuel element. The purpose of the replacement cycle. At present, all the ZrB2 targets required for the preparation of IFBA pellets are imported. Focusing on long-term development, ZrB2 targets have been independently developed and produced, and ZrB2 targets that meet the requirements of IFBA pellets for AP1000 nuclear power fuel elements have been developed. Provide basic materials for the production of AP1000 reactor fuel elements, avoid dependence on imports of combustible poison targets, and achieve the purpose of reducing the manufacturing cost of nuclear fuel elements. The IFBA pellets were prepared by using domestic zirconium boride targets, and the boron loading, adhesion, impurity content, hydrogen content, and the microstructure of the coating were analyzed for the IFBA pellets. The performances of ZrB2 coatings prepared from imported targets under the same working conditions were compared and analyzed to evaluate the feasibility of domestic ZrB2 targets applied to AP1000 fuel assemblies.

(1) The IFBA pellets prepared with domestic cobalt boride targets meet the technical requirements in terms of 10B transfer capacity, adhesion, impurity content, and hydrogen content after drying.

(2) The phase composition of the ZrB2 coating prepared by the domestic target is relatively pure, the coating is well combined with the pellet matrix, and the coating thickness is relatively uniform, about 4.5-6.5 μm. Compared with the ZrB2 coating prepared by the imported target The two layers have the same composition, similar microscopic morphology, and similar thickness.

(3) IFBA pellets that meet the technical requirements of IFBA pellet products can be prepared by using domestic ZrB2 targets.

Baoji Freelong New Material Technology Development Co., Ltd. is a domestic first-class supplier of zirconium targets for vacuum coating, and its product quality has become a model in the industry. You are welcome to send us your inquiry!