Characterisation of AlCrCuFeMox high entropy alloys for nuclear fuel cladding

High entropy alloys (HEAs) have great potential used for accident-tolerant fuel (ATF) due to their excellent properties. The ATF properties of AlCrCuFeMox HEAs were systematically investigated. The AlCrCuFeMox had the typical dendrite morphology and Cu and Al elements segregated in the interdendrite region. After 1200 degrees C water vapour oxidation, compact and continuous alpha-Al2O3 oxide film formed on the surface and effectively protected the inner from further oxidation. When x = 1, the HEA had the best oxidation resistance (59 mg/dm(2) weight gain after 1 h), two orders lower than that of the traditional Zr-1Nb alloy for nuclear fuel cladding. Under normal operation water condition, the performance of the present HEAs is not as good as Zr-1Nb due to the segregation of Cu and dispersed Al2O3 formed on the surface.