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Title: Modular fabrication and characterization of complex silicon carbide composite structures Advanced Reactor Technologies (ART) Research Final Report (Feb 2015 – May 2017)

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1373739· OSTI ID:1373739
 [1]
  1. General Atomics, San Diego, CA (United States)

Advanced ceramic materials exhibit properties that enable safety and fuel cycle efficiency improvements in advanced nuclear reactors. In order to fully exploit these desirable properties, new processing techniques are required to produce the complex geometries inherent to nuclear fuel assemblies and support structures. Through this project, the state of complex SiC-SiC composite fabrication for nuclear components has advanced significantly. New methods to produce complex SiC-SiC composite structures have been demonstrated in the form factors needed for in-core structural components in advanced high temperature nuclear reactors. Advanced characterization techniques have been employed to demonstrate that these complex SiC-SiC composite structures provide the strength, toughness and hermeticity required for service in harsh reactor conditions. The complex structures produced in this project represent a significant step forward in leveraging the excellent high temperature strength, resistance to neutron induced damage, and low neutron cross section of silicon carbide in nuclear applications.

Research Organization:
General Atomics, San Diego, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
NE0008323
OSTI ID:
1373739
Report Number(s):
DE-NE0008323; TRN: US1801114
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English