High thermal conductivity SiC/SiC composites for fusion applications
- MER Corp., Tucson, AZ (United States); and others
SiC/SiC composites are considered for fusion applications due to their neutron irradiation stability, low activation, and good mechanical properties at high temperatures. The projected magnetic fusion power plant first wall and the divertor will operate with surface heat flux ranges of 0.5 to 1 and 4 to 6 MW/m{sup 2}, respectively. To maintain high thermal performance at operating temperatures the first wall and divertor coolant channels must have transverse thermal conductivity values of 5 to 10 and 20 to 30 W/mK, respectively. For these components exposed to a high energy neutron flux and temperatures perhaps exceeding 1000{degrees}C, SiC/SiC composites potentially can meet these demanding requirements. The lack of high-purity SiC fiber and a low through-the-thickness (transverse) thermal conductivity are two key technical problems with currently available SiC/SiC. Such composites, for example produced from Nicalon{trademark} fiber with a chemical vapor infiltrated (CVI) matrix, typically exhibit a transverse conductivity value of less than 8 W/mK (unirradiated) and less than 3 W/mK after neutron irradiation at 800{degrees}C. A new SiC/SiC composite fabrication process has been developed at MER Corp. This paper describes this process, and the thermal and mechanical properties which are observed in this new composite material.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 543693
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ER--0313/21; ON: DE97008798
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
High thermal conductivity SiC/SiC composites for fusion applications -- 2
Advanced SiC composites for fusion applications
Effect of irradiation on thermal expansion of SiC{sub f}/SiC composites
Technical Report
·
Sat Feb 28 23:00:00 EST 1998
·
OSTI ID:335385
Advanced SiC composites for fusion applications
Technical Report
·
Fri Mar 31 23:00:00 EST 1995
·
OSTI ID:114940
Effect of irradiation on thermal expansion of SiC{sub f}/SiC composites
Technical Report
·
Sat Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1996
·
OSTI ID:296774