Enabling Materials Technology for Nuclear Propulsion

Few materials exist that possess useful properties in hydrogen at 2750K and are compatible with the environment of a nuclear reactor. Bulk fabrication and processing of those that do exist, the ceramics niobium carbide (NbC) and zirconium carbide (ZrC), have not yet reached the maturity required for application to nuclear reactors. The versatility of chemical vapor deposition (CVD), however, permits these materials to be fabricated in a unique geometric configuration to produce tailorable thermal and mechanical properties. Ultramet will fabricate structural and insulating materials that overcome the limitations of state-of-the-art materials currently baselined for nuclear propulsion devices. To maximize the possibility of success, Ultramet has teamed with Babcock & Wilcox, the leader in particle bed reactor (PBR) technology.