Changes in the fulexural strength of engineering ceramics after high temperature sodium corrosion test; Influence after sodium exposure for 1000 hours

not registered; Kano, Shigeki; not registered; Tachi, Yoshiaki  ; Hirakawa, Yasushi ; Yoshida, Eiichi

Engineering ceramics have excellent properties such as high strength, high hardness and high heat resistance compared with metallic matelials. To apply the ceramic in fast reactor environment, it is necessary to evaluate the sodium compatibility and the influence of sodium on the mechanical properties of ceramics. In this study, the influence of high temperature sodium on the mechanical properties of sintered ceramics of conventional and high purity AlO, SiC, SiAlON, AlN and unidirectional solidified ceramics of AlO/YAG eutectic composite were investigated by means of flexure tests. Test specimens were exposed in liquid sodium at 823K and 923K for 3.6Ms. There were no changes in the flexural strength of the conventional and high purity AlO, AlN and AlO/YAG eutectic composite after the sodium exposure at 823K. On the contrary, the decrease in the flexural strength was observed in SiC and SiAlON. After the sodium exposure at 923K, there were also no changes in the flexural strength of AlN and AlO/YAG eutectic composite. In the conventional and high purity AlO and SiC, the flexural strength decreased and signs of grain boundary corrosion were detected by surface observation. The flexural strength of SiAlON after the sodium exposure at 923K increased instead of severe corrosion. In the specimens those showed no changes in the flexural strength, further exposure in sodium is needed to verify whether the mechanical properties degrade or not. For SiAlON, it is necessary to clarify the reason for the increased strength after the sodium exposure at 923K.