Compatibility of silicon carbide coated graphite with lead-bismuth eutectic at 900 °C

A uniform and adherent coating of β-silicon carbide (SiC) was formed over a graphite pellet through slurry based silicon coating technique followed by in-situ reaction at 1600°C. The compatibility of this pellet was studied with molten lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) at 900°C in static condition for 200 h continuously. Analysis of the exposed pellet through weight loss measurement, X Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Secondary Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) confirmed that the SiC coating could effectively prevent molten LBE from attacking the inner graphite material under the present experimental conditions. (author)