Development of evaluation and application techniques of SiC/SiC composites for fusion reactors

Evaluation techniques and mechanical properties of silicon carbide composites (SiC/SiC composites) reinforced with highly crystalline fibers are reviewed for fusion applications. The SiC/SiC composites used were fabricated by means of the CVI method. The evaluation includes in-plane tensile strength by in-plane tensile test, transthickness tensile test and diametral compression test and shear strength by compression test using double-notched specimen. All tests were successfully conducted using small specimens for neutron irradiation experiment. As application technique, the novel tungsten (W) coating technique on SiC is reviewed. The W powder melted by high power lamp in a few seconds and formed coating on SiC. No thick reaction layers of WC and W5Si3, which are formed by the other coating methods, were formed by this method. (author)