Effect of dissolved hydrogen on the corrosion behavior of chemically vapor deposited SiC in a simulated pressurized water reactor environment

The corrosion behavior of chemically vapor deposited SiC was investigated in relation to its application as fuel cladding in a pressurized water reactor (PWR). Corrosion tests were conducted in deoxygenated, pressurized water at 360 °C with control of dissolved hydrogen. The dissolved hydrogen dramatically reduced the corrosion rate of SiC compared with that in water without the dissolved hydrogen. It was revealed that the dissolution of the surface oxide of SiC primarily contributed to the weight loss at the initial stage of corrosion. Further weight loss was minimal for 210 d because dissolved hydrogen effectively retarded the formation of SiO2.