Control rods for light water reactors

A control rod for a nuclear fuel assembly, the control rod comprising:

• a solid metal rod comprising a neutron absorbing material having a melting point greater than 1500° C., wherein the neutron absorbing material has an effective neutron absorption cross-section equal to or greater than 8 Barns;
• and
• a coating on the solid metal rod, wherein the coating and the neutron absorbing material do not form a eutectic that has a melting point less than 1500° C., and wherein the coating comprises:
• a chromium layer;
• and
• an intermediate layer between the solid metal rod and the chromium layer, wherein the intermediate layer is in contact with an outer surface of the solid metal rod, wherein the chromium layer is in contact with an outer surface of the intermediate layer, and wherein the intermediate layer is selected from the group consisting of niobium, molybdenum, and tantalum.