Working of Mo-TiC cermets for 'future nuclear systems'

The nuclear reactor cores (generation IV) will form an extremely severe environment (high temperature, severe and long irradiation...). These drastic criteria and the preoccupation to ensure a higher and higher safety level lead, beyond the preoccupations due to the feasibility of such reactors, to harsh choices in materials able to be used. Innovating materials such as Mo-TiC cermet are the subject of intense researches in the CEA. This study presents and compares two modes of Mo-TiC cermet working: the hot isostatic compression and the extrusion. Different compositions of Mo-TiC cermets are prepared by hot isostatic compression and extrusion, and then characterized in term of microstructural properties. At last, this study concludes to a very satisfying working by hot isostatic compression, nevertheless the extrusion has still to be improved. (O.M.)