High Temperature SiC/SiC CMCs Tailored for Nuclear Environments

Current zirconium alloys and other metals are incapable of being considered as core materials in Gen IV reactors due to increased temperatures and high neutron fluence. Stoichiometric SiC/SiC composites for cladding and other core structures have been identified as the only material candidate to allow these new reactor designs to come to fruition. This DOE Phase I SBIR seeks to demonstrate high purity, stoichiometric SiC/SiC CMC components made with commercially available SiC fiber and USAs first low cost, stoichiometric silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic fibers for next generation gas cooled nuclear reactors. Commercial applications and other benefits: The US currently generates 20% of its electricity from 104 nuclear power plants. Helium-cooled, fast-reactor technology being developed by MATECHs principle partner General Atomics (GA) addresses critical issues confronting expansion of nuclear power in the U.S. including: economic competitiveness, used nuclear fuel (UNF) disposition, non-proliferation, new site availability and adequate supporting infrastructure. This technology can simultaneously reduce Americas reliance on foreign sources of energy and the formation of greenhouse gases. In addition, non-nuclear markets for SiC/SiC CMCs exist in aerospace and defense. MATECHs second partner, Lockheed Martin Corporation, is keenly interested in these CMCs for light weight, high temperature applications that would replace heavier metals in military and commercial aviation.