Radiation-tolerant joining technologies for silicon carbide ceramics and composites

Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program Status of Silicon Carbide Joining Technology Development

“…A reliable SiC/SiC joining technique for reactor structural materials has yet to be developed and demonstrated (Katoh et al 2007;Nozawa et al 2009;Ferraris et al 2011). Given the functional requirement of hermeticity for nuclear fuel cladding that is necessary to retain helium and gaseous fission products, the SiC/SiC joining technique must be radiation stable for the relevant conditions of applied stress (specific stress condition has not yet been -Recent positive results on SiC/SiC joining technologies are included in Katoh et al (2013a) and are summarized here; additional work in the development of a reliable SiC/SiC joint is currently under way at General Atomics and at Rolls Royce High Temperature Composites via support from the DOE LWR Sustainability (LWRS) Program. …”

“…Neutron irradiation experiments of selected joints and irradiation effects on joint microstructure and strength have been conducted, as summarized in Katoh et al (2013a). Several joint interest for LWR systems.…”

“…Several joint interest for LWR systems. Detailed joint evaluation results are included in Katoh et al (2013a). ORNL continues to develop joint strength test methods that are compatible with the utilization of small specimens, which is preferred for neutron irradiation experiments.…”

Microstructure and mechanical properties of SiC-SiC joints joined by spark plasma sintering

“…Several studies on the use of SPS as a manufacturing technique for SiC materials have been published in the last decade [17][18][19][20][21][22]. In the field of materials joining, many studies have focused on metal-to-metal, ceramic-to-ceramic or ceramic-to-metal joints using conventional techniques [23][24][25][26][27][28].…”

Microstructures of laser bonded SiC ceramics with Zr interlayers

“…However, there are several technical issues that should be resolved before its application including the joining technology. Although joining of SiC ceramics has been accomplished conventionally, radiation-tolerant joints are required to be formed [7].…”