Application of quantitative image analysis to the characterization of pyrocarbon

Pyrocarbon which is used as a coating material for fuel kernels in High Temperature Reactors has proved to be a very variable, but also very complex material. In order to describe it concerning its properties and operational possibilities it is necessary to apply a lot of different characterization procedures to this material. Two methods which have been developed recently are the wet and the plasma oxydation. To quantify their informations, it has become necessary to use the quantitative ceramography, in this special case the quantitative image analysis. This paper describes the equipment, the characterization parameters which are useful, and the most important errors which can arise when characterising pyrocarbon by this instrument. Finally, first experimental results are discussed. (orig.)