The operational lifetime of the fuel rod assemblies in a light water reactor can be extended if the waterside corrosion rate of the Zircaloy cladding can be reduced. Suggestions for the reduction of the oxidation rate of Zircaloy and associated hydrogen pickup via the zirconium oxide layer on the Zircaloy include doping of the Zircaloy surface with Cr or protecting its surface with a suitable coating such as nanocrystalline diamond.
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