Pipit Fitriani
Yeungnam University, Republic of Korea
Title: Fabrication and Ion-Irradiation Response Of Sicf/Sic With Different Sintering Additives for Nuclear Reactor Applications
Biography
Biography: Pipit Fitriani
Abstract
SiCf/SiC for the structural components of Gen-IV fission and future fusion reactors has attracted considerable interest due to their excellent mechanical and thermal properties along with impressive post-irradiation response. Various fabrication routes (CVI, PIP, RS etc.) have already been reported with simultaneous ongoing efforts to develop newer routes that can yield improved properties. We report here a hybrid processing technique based on electrophoretic deposition (EPD) or vacuum infiltration as matrix infiltration route and subsequent hot pressing to fabricate dense and tough SiCf/SiC. The adaptability of EPD process to fabricate tubular and planar SiCf/SiC of varying sizes with tailorable properties has been demonstrated. Careful optimization of material-attributes, such as slurry composition, type and amount of sintering additives, pre-coated SiC fabric with PyC or dual PyC-SiC interphase and processing-attributes for e.g., AC-/DC-EPD, temperature and pressure variations etc. were performed. Addition of Al2O3-Y2O3, Al2O3-Sc2O3, and Sc-nitrate additives to facilitate liquid phase sintering in a processing window of 1650/1750°C and 10/20 MPa were attempted to obtain high densities (> 95% ρtheo) and flexural strengths (450-500 MPa) with non-brittle and predictable flexural behavior. Subsequently, room temperature irradiation of SiCf/SiC under 0.2 MeV H+ ions at a fluence level of 3×1020 ions/m2 were conducted. Comparative microstructural assessment of matrix, fabric and interfacial regions were undertaken to explain the observed flexural behavior of SiCf/SiC with different additives. Subsequently, post-irradiation evolution of microstructural features, such as matrix grain size, pores, cracks, surface roughness and corresponding flexural responses, were recorded and contrasted.