Progress on coating for metal uranium and its alloys melting

The coating used in molten metal uranium and its alloys is different from usually coating for high temperature, which not only should be able endure high temperature and thermal shock, but also can't react among graphite, coatings and uranium alloys. The resource and mechanism of carbon contamination were analyzed during metal uranium and its alloys melting. The carbon monoxide is responsible for main carbon contamination in furnace. Uranium and its alloys was most sensitive to coating defects among all carbon contaminations. The design demand of ceramic coating was pointed out. The difference coating material systems and preparation methods were compared. The result shows that the monolayer coating can't suitable for the uranium and its alloys melting since high performance demanded. The multilayer coating can meet uranium and its alloys melting which include outer Y₂O₃ coating and interlayer. Usually, the interlayer may be carbide, or metal such as W, Nb or Mo et al. So it can retard carbon pervasion. The multilayer coating is development trend of coatings for uranium and its alloys melting.