Method of using DLI-MOCVD to provide a nuclear reactor component with a coating of amorphous chromium carbide

Process for manufacturing a nuclear component via the method of chemical vapor deposition of an organometallic compound by direct liquid injection (DLI-MOCVD), the nuclear component chosen from a nuclear fuel cladding, a spacer grid, a guide tube, a plate fuel or an absorber rod, comprising:

• i) a support containing a substrate based on a metal chosen from zirconium, titanium, vanadium, molybdenum or base alloys thereof (1) and at least one protective layer (2);
• ii) said at least one protective layer (2) coating said support and composed of a protective material comprising chromium which is an amorphous chromium carbide;
• the process comprising the following successive steps:
• a) vaporizing a mother solution containing a hydrocarbon-based solvent free of oxygen atoms;
• and a precursor of bis(arene) type comprising chromium, the precursor having a decomposition temperature comprised between 300° C. and 600° C.;
• b) in a chemical vapor deposition reactor in which is located said support to be covered and the atmosphere of which is at a deposition temperature comprised between 300° C. and 500° C. and at a deposition pressure comprised between 13 Pa and 7000 Pa;
• introducing the mother solution vaporized in step a), which brings about the deposition of said at least one protective layer (2) on said support.