About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
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Ceramics and Ceramic-Based Composites for Nuclear Applications III
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| Presentation Title |
Capturing the in-situ evolution of thermal diffusivity of SiC during ion irradiation |
| Author(s) |
Keshav Vasudeva, Angus P. Wylie, Maxwell Rae, Joey Demiane, Kevin Woller, Michael P. Short, Sara E. Ferry |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Keshav Vasudeva |
| Abstract Scope |
Silicon carbide-based materials are candidates for the vacuum-vessel of future fusion power plants. Despite their advantages, the degradation in thermal diffusivity under fission-neutron irradiation remains a challenge. Fusion neutrons induce significant transmutations in SiC, the effect of which on thermal diffusivity is presently unknown. This work presents initial results from an experimental campaign aimed at addressing this gap using in-situ Transient Grating Spectroscopy (TGS) during ion irradiation. The use of TGS was validated on 3C-SiC, demonstrating good agreement with Laser Flash Analysis in capturing the expected decrease in thermal diffusivity with temperature. Subsequent TGS measurements during Si⁴⁺ irradiation at 350 °C, 600 °C, and 800 °C reveal a sharp initial drop in thermal diffusivity followed by saturation, with more pronounced reduction at lower temperatures—trends consistent with observations from fission reactor irradiations. Preliminary results will also be presented to illustrate the effect of pre-implanted helium on thermal diffusivity. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |