Research & Reviews: Journal of Material Sciences
MenuISSN:2321-6212
ISSN:2321-6212
Pipit Fitriani, Amit Siddharth Sharma, Dong Hyuk Jeong and Dang-Hyok Yoon
Yeungnam University, Republic of Korea
ScientificTracks Abstracts: Res. Rev. J Mat. Sci
SiCf/SiC for the structural components of Gen-IV fission and future fusion reactors has attracted considerable interest due to their excellent mechanical and thermal properties along with impressive post-irradiation response. Various fabrication routes (CVI, PIP, RS etc.) have already been reported with simultaneous ongoing efforts to develop newer routes that can yield improved properties. We report here a hybrid processing technique based on Electrophoretic Deposition (EPD) or vacuum infiltration as matrix infiltration route and subsequent hot pressing to fabricate dense and tough SiCf/SiC. The adaptability of EPD process to fabricate tubular and planar SiCf/SiC of varying sizes with tailorable properties has been demonstrated. Careful optimization of material-attributes, such as slurry composition, type and amount of sintering additives, pre-coated SiC fabric with PyC or dual PyC-SiC interphase and processing-attributes for e.g., AC-/DC-EPD, temperature and pressure variations etc., were performed. Addition of Al2O3-Y2O3, Al2O3-Sc2O3, and Sc-nitrate additives to facilitate liquid phase sintering in a processing window of 1650/1750 ???°C and 10/20 MPa were attempted to obtain high densities (> 95% ??theo) and flexural strengths (450-500 MPa) with non-brittle and predictable flexural behavior. Subsequently, room temperature irradiation of SiCf/SiC under 0.2 MeV H+ ions at a fluence level of 3????1020 ions/m2 was conducted. Comparative microstructural assessment of matrix, fabric and interfacial regions were undertaken to explain the observed flexural behavior of SiCf/SiC with different additives. Subsequently, post-irradiation evolution of microstructural features, such as matrix grain size, pores, cracks, surface roughness and corresponding flexural responses were recorded and contrasted.
Pipit Fitriani is currently a PhD student at School of Materials Science and Engineering, Yeungnam University, Republic of Korea. she is currently working on fabrication of SiCf/SiC composites for structural nuclear reactor applications and has published 6 papers related to SiC.