An overview of the oxidation performance of silicide diffusion coatings for vanadium-based alloys for generation IV reactors

► Diffusion barrier to oxygen were manufactured by pack cementation diffusion process. ► The use of CrSi2 + Si and TiSi2 + Si as masteralloys increased the quality of the coating. ► Thermodynamic stability (coatings/vanadium) was obtained at the operating temperature. ► MSi2 coatings developed low growing oxide scale in air and at low oxygen pressure. ► Coatings presented high compatibility with liquid sodium (<10 ppm O2) for 360 h.