| Abstract Scope |
This lecture describes the accelerated development of ‘nuclear’ MAX phases that ensures the constant communication between application-driven material design, production and performance assessment. The MAX phases are hexagonal compounds that suffer radiation-induced anisotropic swelling (c-axis expansion, a-axis contraction). Moreover, phase-impure MAX phase-based ceramics fail by radiation-induced differential swelling. Therefore, radiation-tolerant MAX phase ceramics combine strong texture and high phase purity, which is achievable via the synthesis of chemically complex solid solutions from early transition metal hydride powders. This lecture addresses 2 nuclear applications of MAX phase ceramics: (a) corrosion/erosion-resistant materials for Gen-IV lead-cooled fast reactors (LFRs), and (b) accident-tolerant fuel (ATF) cladding materials for Gen-II/III light water reactors (LWRs). MAX phase ceramics were tested in terms of coolant compatibility (static or fast-flowing liquid LBE, 500°C, ≤3500 h, CO < 10-8 mass%; PWR water, 320°C, 1 month; steam, 1200°C, 1h) and radiation tolerance (6 keV He+, 1014 ions/cm2×s, 350-800°C, ≤10 dpa). |