Abstract: A nuclear fuel rod comprises nuclear fuel contained in a cladding, the cladding comprising a tube and two plugs, the tube extending along a central axis and having two ends, each plug being attached to a corresponding end of the tube by sealing the end of the tube. The tube is covered by a tube coating extending over the entire length of the tube from one end of the tube to the other.

Abstract: A nuclear fuel cladding element comprises a substrate made of a material containing zirconium and a protective coating covering the substrate on the outside. The protective coating is being made of a material containing chromium, and has a columnar microstructure composed of columnar grains and having on the outer surface thereof a microdroplet density of less than 100 per mm2.

Abstract: A fuel rod cladding (4) for a light water reactor includes a core (16) including a matrix consisting of pure molybdenum or of a molybdenum-based alloy; and an outer protective layer (18). The outer protective layer (18) is selected among a chromium-based coating (20) deposited on an outer surface of the core (16) that includes at least one chromium-based coating layer (24) consisting of pure chromium or of a chromium-based alloy; a chromium-based diffusion layer (22) obtained by diffusion of chromium into the core (16) from the outer surface of the core (16); or a succession of a chromium-based diffusion layer (22) obtained by diffusion of chromium into the core (16) from the outer surface of the core (16) and a chromium-based coating (20) consisting of chromium or of a chromium-based alloy deposited on the outer surface of said core (16).