Chemical degradation of SiC/SiC composite for the cladding of gas-cooled fast reactor in case of severe accident scenarios

• Published in: Corrosion science 2012-06, Vol.59, p.127-135
• Main Authors: Charpentier, L., Dawi, K., Balat-Pichelin, M., Bêche, E., Audubert, F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: A. Ceramic-matrix composites (CMC); Applied sciences; B. SEM; B. Weight loss; B. XPS; C. High-temperature corrosion; C. Oxidation; Corrosion; Corrosion environments; Engineering Sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Materials; Metals. Metallurgy; Reactive fluid environment
• ISSN: 0010-938X; 1879-0496
• DOI: 10.1016/j.corsci.2012.02.019

► High temperature fast oxidation using a concentrated solar furnace. ► High temperature oxidation of SiC/SiC in helium with low oxygen partial pressure. ► Mass loss evaluation in accident conditions of the GFR up to 2300K. ► Different behaviours from 1970K compared with massive β-SiC samples. High temperature oxidation was performed on structural materials made of fibres of SiC in a SiC matrix (SiC/SiC)+β-SiC coating, considered for the cladding of the gas-cooled fast reactor. Tests carried out in various atmospheres (helium, nitrogen, air) coupled to mass variation, SEM and XPS analysis enabled the study of resistance to chemical degradation of such composites from 1400 to 2300K. Monolithic β-SiC was also studied for comparison. The degradation of the composite material was faster than the monolithic one above 1970K due to the damage of the β-SiC coating enabling the oxidizing species to penetrate inside the composite.