Abstract: A centrifugal pump component for an oil and gas well pump includes a substrate with an outer surface configured to contact oil and gas well fluid. The component further includes a coating formed on at least a portion of the outer surface. The coating includes a combination of hard particles and a metal matrix.

Abstract: There is provided a fuel rod assembly comprising a first component of a zirconium-based material. The first component is in contact with or is located adjacent to a second component of a material different from the zirconium-based material, e.g. a nickel-based or iron-based alloy. A coating is disposed on an outer surface of the first component, which is effective to reduce an electrochemical corrosion potential difference between the first component and the second component relative to an electrochemical corrosion potential difference between the first component and the second component without the coating.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump component for an oil and gas well pump includes a substrate with an outer surface configured to contact oil and gas well fluid. The component further includes a coating formed on at least a portion of the outer surface. The coating includes a combination of hard particles and a metal matrix.

Abstract: There is provided a fuel rod assembly comprising a first component of a zirconium-based material. The first component is in contact with or is located adjacent to a second component of a material different from the zirconium-based material, e.g. a nickel-based or iron-based alloy. A coating is disposed on an outer surface of the first component, which is effective to reduce an electrochemical corrosion potential difference between the first component and the second component relative to an electrochemical corrosion potential difference between the first component and the second component without the coating.

Abstract: There is provided a fuel rod assembly comprising a first component of a zirconium-based material. The first component is in contact with or is located adjacent to a second component of a material different from the zirconium-based material, e.g. a nickel-based or iron-based alloy. A coating is disposed on an outer surface of the first component, which is effective to reduce an electrochemical corrosion potential difference between the first component and the second component relative to an electrochemical corrosion potential difference between the first component and the second component without the coating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing an electroless nickel coating composition that includes (a) coating a substrate with an electroless nickel coating to provide a coated substrate; and (b) subjecting the coated substrate to a heating protocol comprising heating to a temperature in a range from about 550° C. to about 700° C. for a period of from about 7 to about 30 hours. An article made from the method is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for manufacturing an article having a wetting-resistant surface. The method includes providing a mixture comprising a plurality of micron-sized first particles and a plurality of nano-sized second particles, and a binder; depositing the mixture onto a substrate to form a wetting-resistant surface via a thermal spray process. The mixture is deposited without substantial melting of the first and second particles. The wetting-resistant surface has wettability sufficient to generate, with a reference fluid, a static contact angle of greater than about 90 degrees.

Abstract: There is provided a fuel rod assembly comprising a first component of a zirconium-based material. The first component is in contact with or is located adjacent to a second component of a material different from the zirconium-based material, e.g. a nickel-based or iron-based alloy. A coating is disposed on an outer surface of the first component, which is effective to reduce an electrochemical corrosion potential difference between the first component and the second component relative to an electrochemical corrosion potential difference between the first component and the second component without the coating.

Abstract: A fuel rod includes a cladding tube with a wear-inhibiting coating. In one embodiment, the coating is made of a metallic powder material that is applied to the exterior surface of the cladding tube using a thermal spray process. In an alternative embodiment, the coating is a composite made of a metallic powder material, and a ceramic powder material or a metal oxide hard phase powder material that is simultaneously applied with the metallic powder material to coat the cladding tube. The coating can be applied to selected areas of the fuel rods where debris tends to fret the fuel rod.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for manufacturing an article having a wetting-resistant surface. The method includes providing a mixture comprising a plurality of micron-sized first particles and a plurality of nano-sized second particles, and a binder; depositing the mixture onto a substrate to form a wetting-resistant surface via a thermal spray process. The mixture is deposited without substantial melting of the first and second particles. The wetting-resistant surface has wettability sufficient to generate, with a reference fluid, a static contact angle of greater than about 90 degrees.

Abstract: A method of making a thermal spray powder is provided. The method comprises: providing a powder comprising a plurality of porous particles; infiltrating a mixture comprising a solvent and a plurality of solid lubricant particles into the porous particles; and heating the powder to a temperature sufficient to evaporate the solvent. The method of forming a wear-resistant coating is provided. The method comprises: providing a thermal spray powder; heating the thermal spray powder; and accelerating the thermal spray powder from a thermal spray gun onto the substrate, to form a deposit. Yet another embodiment provides a wear resistant coating. The wear resistant coating is formed by thermally spraying the thermal spray powder.