INTERFACIAL REACTION AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SiC BONDED WITH ZIRCALOY-4 USING Ni, Zr /Al DOUBLE INTERLAYERS

摘要

Hydrogen release, generated by the reaction between Zr-based alloy claddings and water steam, raises concerns over safety (explosion) of light water reactors (LWRs) during a loss of coolant accident. This study offers a potential method through solid-state reaction to fabricate SiC/zircaloy-4 joints in order to enhance the accident tolerance of LWR fuel claddings. Within experiments, SiC/zircaloy-4 diffusion couples are subject to high temperature heat treatment. Results from various characterisation techniques indicated that reaction occurs. In addition, Vickers indentation test was performed to evaluate the adhesion properties of the SiC/ zircaloy-4 diffusion couples.