Development of high-strength oxidation-resistant fuel components for high-temperature gas-cooled reactor; Evaluation of mechanical strength properties of fuel compact

Tojo, Takuya*; Yamamoto, Takenori*; Kuroda, Masatoshi*; Aihara, Jun ; Tachibana, Yukio 

Fuel compact of high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) with inherent safety employs fuel component which was molded from graphite. Development of oxidation-resistant fuel component has been advancing at present, which is fuel component having oxidation resistance formed by SiC. In this study, mechanical properties were obtained on oxidation-resistant fuel components prepared under various molding parameters. Young's modulus was measured by ultrasonic pulse velocity test, and compressive strength was measured by compression test. High correlation was not observed between Young's modulus and hot pressing conditions of temperature and time. There was no correlation between compressive strength and hot pressing time in range of hot pressing temperature of 1573-1873 K and time of 40-120 min, but high negative correlation was observed within range of hot pressing temperatures. Therefore, it was predicted that compressive strength was increased by decreasing hot pressing temperature.