| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Advances in Ceramic Materials and Processing
|
| Presentation Title |
Pushing Performance With High Temperature Composite Material Solutions |
| Author(s) |
Andrew Giles, Christian Deck, David Frazer, Sean Gonderman, Hesham Khalifa, Alden Moore |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
David Frazer |
| Abstract Scope |
In pursuit of increased performance, new material solutions are needed for more extreme operating environments. General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) is developing innovative ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) to support nuclear power generation, space nuclear propulsion, and hypersonics. Silicon carbide fiber, silicon carbide matrix CMC nuclear fuel cladding enhances safety and increases performance for the US light water reactor fleet. GA-EMS has scaled CMC fabrication to 12-ft cladding tubes showing <5% mechanical performance variation over the length. Ultra-high temperature carbon fiber, zirconium carbide matrix CMC liners resist hot hydrogen attack (reducing mass loss by 6-8x vs bare carbon) and protect fuel elements to enable high specific impulse in nuclear thermal propulsion applications. Carbon fiber, silicon carbide matrix CMCs have application as acreage material for hypersonic thermal protection systems, and were recently tested under relevant hypersonic heat flux conditions. CMC materials are opening new and exciting operational spaces for these advanced applications. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Ceramics, Composites, High-Temperature Materials |