Sintering and characterization of silicon nitride ceramics as inert matrix with magnesium silicates

Usuki, Toshiyuki ; Yoshida, Katsumi*; Yano, Toyohiko*; Miwa, Shuhei  ; Osaka, Masahiko  

Minor actinides (MA) have lasting radio-toxicity. One of the possible ways to reduce radio-toxicity is transmutation of MA using nuclear reactors. Inert matrix (IM) is applied to host material for MA in transmutation. Silicon nitride (SiN) ceramics considered to be a candidate material of IM since it has a high thermal conductivity and shows good resistance to neutron irradiation. In this study, We proposed fabrication of silicon nitride ceramics based IMFs with Ce as simulating element and with magnesium silicates, i.e. enstatite (MgSiO), steatite (MgSiO) and forsterite (MgSiO), as additives. The sintered densities of SiN-based IMFs with forsterite was above 96 % theoretical 1723 K. Furthermore, The thermal conductivities of IMFs sintered at 1923 K were above 34 W/mK.