About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Ceramics and Ceramic-Based Composites for Nuclear Applications III
|
| Presentation Title |
Measured Radiation-Induced Bowing of SiC/SiC Composite Components under Neutron Flux Gradients |
| Author(s) |
Christian M. Petrie, Peter Doyle, David Chandler, Nick G. Russell, Annabelle Le Coq, Josina W. Geringer, Christian P. Deck, Takaaki Koyanagi, Yutai Katoh |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Christian M. Petrie |
| Abstract Scope |
Despite the well-recognized benefits of SiC fiber-reinforced, SiC ceramic matrix composites (SiC/SiC) for light-water reactor (LWR) fuel cladding and other core internal components, there are still some degradation mechanisms that need to be understood before these materials can be fully qualified. One phenomenon for which no integral irradiation data currently exists is the extent to which SiC/SiC components would suffer from lateral bowing under the presence of fast neutron flux gradients, which could interfere with coolant channels and/or control rod/blade movements. This work presents the first reported measurements of radiation-induced bowing and local deformations of two SiC/SiC tube specimens and a miniature square channel box with varying neutron flux gradients. Results are compared with analytical equations and high-fidelity 3D neutron transport and finite element structural analysis calculations. The results are discussed in terms of the implications for LWR operations and plans for resolving the remaining data gaps. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Composites, Nuclear Materials, Environmental Effects |