Development of Liquid Phase Sintering Silicon Carbide Composites for Light Water Reactor

Silicon carbide composites are expected for light water reactors. The objective is to understand the steam oxidation behavior and the high-temperature water corrosion behavior of the liquid phase sintering silicon carbide and to develop the liquid phase sintering silicon carbide composites, which are stable at the high-temperature water conditions in normal operation and the high-temperature steam conditions in a severe accident. The steam oxidation experiments were carried out at 1200 and 1400 degrees C. The high-temperature water corrosion experiments were carried out at 320 and 360 degrees C. The formation of the silicate, which is expected to have excellent resistance to the steam, was confirmed following the steam exposure at 1400 degrees C. High-temperature water corrosion resistance was improved by the formation of Yttrium Aluminum Garnet at the grain boundary. The particle-dispersion silicon carbide composite tubes with the modified condition were developed, and the thermal shock experiments from 1200 degrees C to ambient temperature were carried out. The composite tubes showed excellent oxidation and thermal shock resistance. The particle-dispersion liquid phase sintering silicon carbide composites with the modified condition are promising materials for light water reactors.