Hermetic closure of silicon carbidescomponents using laser-induced joining

Due to the excellent thermochemical, thermomechanical and abrasive properties SiC is a promising material for the high-temperature reactor technology. With a hermetic closure of SiC components the safe confinement of radioactive materials is possible, the application as fission product release barrier for the fuel of gas-cooled fast breeder reactors or for the final repository of high-level radioactive waste is possible. The favorable relationship of low thermal expansion coefficient, elastic modulus and thermal conductivity is an excellent base for laser-induced joining of SiC components. The deposited solder material is locally melted by the laser radiation, the subsequent solidification into a glassy or glassy-crystalline state provides the joint between the components. The authors demonstrate the resulting hermetic tightness in the range of 1000 C.