skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Radiation-tolerant joining technologies for silicon carbide ceramics and composites

Abstract

Silicon carbide (SiC) for nuclear structural applications, whether in the monolithic ceramic or composite form, will require a robust joining technology capable of withstanding the harsh nuclear environment. This paper presents significant progress made towards identifying and processing irradiation-tolerant joining methods for nuclear-grade SiC. In doing so, a standardized methodology for carrying out joint testing has been established consistent with the small volume samples mandated by neutron irradiation testing. Candidate joining technologies were limited to those that provide low induced radioactivity and included titanium diffusion bonding, Ti–Si–C MAX-phase joining, calcia–alumina glass–ceramic joining, and transient eutectic-phase SiC joining. Samples of these joints were irradiated in the Oak Ridge National Laboratory High Flux Isotope Reactor at 500 or 800 °C, and their microstructure and mechanical properties were compared to pre-irradiation conditions. Within the limitations of statistics, all joining methodologies presented retained their joint mechanical strength to ~3 dpa at 500 °C, thus indicating the first results obtained on irradiation-stable SiC joints. Finally, under the more aggressive irradiation conditions (800 °C, ~5 dpa), some joint materials exhibited significant irradiation-induced microstructural evolution; however, the effect of irradiation on joint strength appeared rather limited.

Authors:
ORCiD logo; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1132204
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-100590
Journal ID: ISSN 0022-3115; AT6020100
DOE Contract Number:  
AC05-76RL01830
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Journal of Nuclear Materials
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 448; Journal Issue: 1-3; Journal ID: ISSN 0022-3115
Publisher:
Elsevier
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
SiC; Joining; Composites; Radiation Damage

Citation Formats

Katoh, Yutai, Snead, Lance L., Cheng, Ting, Shih, Chunghao, Lewis, W. Daniel, Koyanagi, Takaaki, Hinoki, Tatsuya, Henager, Charles H., and Ferraris, Monica. Radiation-tolerant joining technologies for silicon carbide ceramics and composites. United States: N. p., 2014. Web. doi:10.1016/j.jnucmat.2013.10.002.
Katoh, Yutai, Snead, Lance L., Cheng, Ting, Shih, Chunghao, Lewis, W. Daniel, Koyanagi, Takaaki, Hinoki, Tatsuya, Henager, Charles H., & Ferraris, Monica. Radiation-tolerant joining technologies for silicon carbide ceramics and composites. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2013.10.002
Katoh, Yutai, Snead, Lance L., Cheng, Ting, Shih, Chunghao, Lewis, W. Daniel, Koyanagi, Takaaki, Hinoki, Tatsuya, Henager, Charles H., and Ferraris, Monica. 2014. "Radiation-tolerant joining technologies for silicon carbide ceramics and composites". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2013.10.002.
@article{osti_1132204,
title = {Radiation-tolerant joining technologies for silicon carbide ceramics and composites},
author = {Katoh, Yutai and Snead, Lance L. and Cheng, Ting and Shih, Chunghao and Lewis, W. Daniel and Koyanagi, Takaaki and Hinoki, Tatsuya and Henager, Charles H. and Ferraris, Monica},
abstractNote = {Silicon carbide (SiC) for nuclear structural applications, whether in the monolithic ceramic or composite form, will require a robust joining technology capable of withstanding the harsh nuclear environment. This paper presents significant progress made towards identifying and processing irradiation-tolerant joining methods for nuclear-grade SiC. In doing so, a standardized methodology for carrying out joint testing has been established consistent with the small volume samples mandated by neutron irradiation testing. Candidate joining technologies were limited to those that provide low induced radioactivity and included titanium diffusion bonding, Ti–Si–C MAX-phase joining, calcia–alumina glass–ceramic joining, and transient eutectic-phase SiC joining. Samples of these joints were irradiated in the Oak Ridge National Laboratory High Flux Isotope Reactor at 500 or 800 °C, and their microstructure and mechanical properties were compared to pre-irradiation conditions. Within the limitations of statistics, all joining methodologies presented retained their joint mechanical strength to ~3 dpa at 500 °C, thus indicating the first results obtained on irradiation-stable SiC joints. Finally, under the more aggressive irradiation conditions (800 °C, ~5 dpa), some joint materials exhibited significant irradiation-induced microstructural evolution; however, the effect of irradiation on joint strength appeared rather limited.},
doi = {10.1016/j.jnucmat.2013.10.002},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1132204}, journal = {Journal of Nuclear Materials},
issn = {0022-3115},
number = 1-3,
volume = 448,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu May 01 00:00:00 EDT 2014},
month = {Thu May 01 00:00:00 EDT 2014}
}