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Title: Interlaboratory Round Robin Testing of SiC/SiC Composite Tubes

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1513437· OSTI ID:1513437

With the objective to develop accident tolerant fuel-clad systems for light water reactors, extensive research and development work is being conducted at different governmental, university and industrial labs. Continuous SiC fiber-reinforced SiC matrix (SiC/SiC) composites is one of the leading candidate materials for replacing the traditional Zr alloy cladding due to its high temperature stability, chemical inertness and stability under neutron irradiation. A rich database on the statistics of the mechanical properties of SiC/SiC composite is much needed to carry out the feasibility studies as well as rigorous analysis of the material’s behavior under normal and off-normal reactor conditions. In addition to the properties database, test standards, which ensure the unbiased characterization of the material, are needed. The mechanical properties database, particularly for tubular SiC/SiC specimens, is limited and standardized test methods are still under development. The current work focuses on filling these gaps through an interlaboratory round robin testing program of SiC/SiC composite tube specimen involving several organizations from academia, government laboratories and industry. The difficulties and issues in the testing were identified and addressed through the ORNL lead test. This report summarizes the current status and forward planning on the interlaboratory study.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
1513437
Report Number(s):
ORNL/TM-2016/404
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English