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Title: Chemical vapor deposition of silicon carbide from methylsilane and coating of nuclear waste ceramics

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:6960689

This research evaluated the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of silicon carbide from methylsilane (CH/sub 3/SiH/sub 3/) and coating of nuclear waste ceramics. The phase equilibria of the SiC coatings were investigated and compared with thermodynamic equilibrium calculations. The major variables studied were coating temperature, hydrogen content of the diluent gaseous system (Ar - H/sub 2/) or (N/sub 2/ - H/sub 2/), and addition of C/sub 2/H/sub 2/ to the system. Pyrocarbon coated alumina, and nuclear waste ceramic substrate particle were coated with silicon carbide in a fluidized-bed coater. The thermodynamic calculation results on the CH/sub 3/SiH/sub 3/ - Ar system indicate that SiC + Si are codeposited up to approx. = 1450 K. Single phase SiC is computed to form above that temperature. The silicon content of the condensed phase increases as the temperature decreases or the hydrogen content in the diluent gas increases. The coated particle concept for solidification of high-radiation-level nuclear waste was also evaluated. Sol-gel derived substrates of high-waste loading, and Cs-loaded zeolite were coated with SiC and pyrolytic carbon in a fluidized-bed coater. Leach testing by standard techniques showed them to be highly leach resistant and possess leach rates lower than other nuclear waste forms.

Research Organization:
Tennessee Univ., Knoxville (USA)
OSTI ID:
6960689
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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