Current status and prospects of SiCf/SiC for fusion structural applications

This article provides an overview of the main characteristics of SiCf/SiC that suggest the use of this SiC-based composite as a structural material for the blanket in future fusion reactors, a brief description of its structure and the role of its main constituents. The relevant fabrication processes and their ability to produce a material with the required properties are also summarised. The main part of the paper is devoted to an assessment of the state-of-the-art materials, and the basic requirements for the target material are discussed in terms of the achieved properties. The key issues and areas of uncertainty are described and suggestions for overcoming them are presented. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.