Nuclear Applications for Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics and MAX Phases

William E. Lee (1) , Edoardo Giorgi (1) , Robert Harrison (1) , Alexandre Maitre (2) , Olivier Rapaud (2)

1 Department of Materials
2 SPCTS - Science des Procédés Céramiques et de Traitements de Surface

This chapter begins with a brief presentation of future nuclear reactors. Next, current uses of ceramics in the nuclear industry are reviewed, which, with the exception of graphite moderators and B4C control rods, rely largely on oxides or silicates. Then, the potential for using non-oxide Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics (UHTCs) and MAX phases in future (so-called Generation IV) fission and fusion reactors is discussed.

Domaines: Matériaux

William E. Lee, Edoardo Giorgi, Robert Harrison, Alexandre Maitre, Olivier Rapaud. Nuclear Applications for Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics and MAX Phases. William G. Fahrenholtz, Eric J. Wuchina, William E. Lee, Yanchun Zhou. Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics: Materials for Extreme Environment Applications, Wiley, pp.391, 2014, 978-1-118-70078-5. ⟨hal-01064237⟩