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Zirconium-based coatings play a critical role in the safety of nuclear fuel cladding. In collaboration with the Bragg Centre for Materials Research at the University of Leeds, this study showcases how TESCAN TENSOR enables high-resolution analysis of zirconium oxide layers formed on ZrN coatings after exposure to water vapor at elevated temperatures.
Using precession-assisted 4D-STEM and automated crystal orientation mapping (ACOM), the research team resolved monoclinic and tetragonal ZrO₂ grains with nanometric precision. The study emphasizes the transformation dynamics between these phases, critical to understanding crack formation, structural degradation, and stress relief mechanisms in nuclear cladding materials.
The TENSOR’s ability to deliver fast, accurate diffraction-based imaging—supported by the EXPLORE software for live template matching and post-acquisition inspection—was central to uncovering:
Distribution of fine vs. columnar zirconia grains
Phase evolution of ZrO₂ under thermal oxidation
Crack initiation mechanisms at grain boundaries
🎓 We thank Dr. Mingwen Bai and the team at the University of Leeds for their valuable contribution.
📄 Download the full application note below 👇