| Abstract Scope |
As part of the DOE's Accident Tolerant Fuels program, fiber-based, multilayered silicon carbide (SiC-SiC) ceramic matrix composite tubing is being developed as high temperature cladding to replace zirconium alloys. While SiC-SiC cladding has better high temperature corrosion resistance, its thermal conductivity is lower compared to zirconium alloys. Currently, there is a lack in basic understanding of the connection between manufacturing, structure, and thermal properties in SiC-SiC composite tubing. We present the development of an IR thermography method to measure the anisotropic thermal properties of the monolith, fiber-matrix, and environmental barrier coating of SiC-SiC tubing at a microscopic scale. Measurements will be used to determine thermal properties in the axial, radial, and circumferential directions. These microscopic anisotropic properties can be used to predict bulk properties in SiC-SiC composite tubing and link manufacture processes and composite structure to their effects on thermal properties. |