FUEL ELEMENT OF NUCLEAR REACTOR Russian patent published in 2009 - IPC G21C3/28 

FIELD: power engineering.

SUBSTANCE: invention is related to the field of nuclear engineering, in particular to fuel elements of nuclear reactor. Fuel element of nuclear reactor comprises fuel microsphere from fission material and four-layer protective coat including layers of pyrocarbon and layer of metal carbide selected from group containing silicon, zirconium, niobium, in which external layer of fuel element is made of titanium-silicon carbide Ti₃SiC₂. External layer of titanium-silicon carbide Ti₃SiC₂ protects fragile carbide layer against external mechanical damages, and also corrosion effect of admixtures from fuel element matrix and performs bandage functions for internal layers of fuel element protective coat.

EFFECT: fuel element design provides for prolonged operational resource (depth of fuel burning) due to improved corrosion resistance and thermomechanical stability of force carbide layers.