Feasibility of Ti3AlC2 phase as the protective coatings of accident tolerant fuels (ATFs) was investigated by means of ions irradiation, nanoindentation and transmission electron microscopy. Au ions irradiation was carried out on thin Ti3AlC2 film to simulate the high displacement damage induced by the energetic particles in the nuclear reactors. Nanoindentation on the Ti3AlC2 film was followed subsequently as a source of external stress to simulate the high pressure applied on the cladding in nuclear reactor cores of pressurized water reactors (PWRs). TEM was used to characterize the microstructural evolution of Ti3AlC2 film after irradiation and nanoindentation. TEM analysis shows that Ti3AlC2 film remains pristine layered structure and no amorphization was detected after irradiation to similar to 14 dpa. The combined nanoindentation and TEM show that no rupture and exfoliation of the Au-irradiated Ti3AlC2 film occur even the extern stress and total elongation induced by nanoindentation reach to 16.6 GPa and similar to 5%, respectively. The above results show good irradiation resistance and good ductility as well as excellent adhesion of the Ti3AlC2 coating on the substrate after high dose irradiation and under high external stress. This indicates the good feasibility of Ti3AlC2 thin films as the coatings of ATF claddings. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.