R&D for introducing silicon carbide materials to safety improvement of BWR's core, 7; Oxidation kinetics of SiC at 1400-1600C under different steam flow rate

Pham, V. H.   ; 永江 勇二 ; 倉田 正輝 ; 石橋 良*

Pham, V. H.; Nagae, Yuji; Kurata, Masaki; Ishibashi, Ryo*

Since the severe accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, development of accident tolerant fuel claddings such SiC has been intensively discussed. However, application of SiC as fuel claddings has raised some concerns over its performance under severe accident conditions in steam. In this study, investigation of steam oxidation for SiC at 1400-1600C under 0.1 and 3 g/min steam flow rate was performed using newly developed laser heating facility. Results of the investigation showed that the SiC experienced a mass gain behavior under 0.1 g/min steam flow rate. Whereas, it suffered a mass loss under 3 g/min steam flow rate. Based on the mass change data obtained in the investigation, reaction rate constants and activation energy of the process were calculated and reported.