Characterization of Large Ceramic Billets for Core Support and Thermal Insulaton in the HTGR

摘要

Full-size HTGR core-support pads of commercially available A1 sub 2 O sub 3 , Si sub 3 N sub 4 and fused SiO sub 2 were evaluated with respect to properties important for structural integrity. Work included microstructure, density ahd chemical characterizations and strength and creep tests on specimens removed from the pads. The materials consisted of two hot-pressed and two pressed and sintered A1 sub 2 O sub 3 products, a hot-pressed Si sub 3 N sub 4 and three slip-cast and sinter fused SiO sub 2 full-size pads. A fused-cast A1 sub 2 O sub 3 in brick form was also characterized. (ERA citation 05:002979)