| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Composite Materials for Nuclear Applications III
|
| Presentation Title |
Developing and testing silicon carbide composites for fusion-relevant conditions |
| Author(s) |
Alexander Leide, Douglas Andrews, James Wade-Zhu |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Alexander Leide |
| Abstract Scope |
SiC composites have several advantageous properties as a structural material in the uniquely challenging environment of a fusion device. This presentation will discuss progress at UKAEA in understanding these environmental effects on SiC.
Results from irradiations designed to simulate fusion-specific transmutation will be presented. These involve high dose helium implantations to replicate the C(n,3α) reaction, aluminium ion implantations to replicate the Si(n,d)Al reaction, and carbon implantation to replicate the stoichiometric change from burnup of silicon atoms. These irradiations have been performed in bulk and in-situ TEM for a variety of composite grades with post-irradiation analysis including TEM, micromechanical testing including novel micro push-out of fibres, Raman spectroscopy, cathodoluminescence and impedance spectroscopy measurements. These results are correlated to first principles defect modelling and finite element mechanical simulations to enhance data interpretation. Initial results show helium has a small effect on mechanical properties, but transmutation can change functional properties such as conductivity. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Composites, Ceramics, Nuclear Materials |