Characterization with SEM, EDS, and XRF of Zr-4 material after sputtering with Ti target – Application for PWR type nuclear power reactor fuel cladding

A characterization and analysis with SEM and EDS have been carried out on Zr-4 material after sputtering with titanium target, applications for nuclear power reactor cladding, Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) and Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) types. Samples Zr-4 which has a length and width of about 1 cm and a thickness of 10 mm, the surface is sputtered with Ti target with voltage variation of 4 kV and 5 kV and the time is also varied for 2, 3 and 4 hours. It was found that the longer the sputtering process on the Zr-4 material, the thicker the Ti layer. The minimum voltage must be 4 kV. The voltage in the sputtering process does not change much to the Ti coating on the sample surface. This research will be continued with a corrosion test which is applied to the cladding material for the nuclear power reactor type PWR and PHWR.