High temperature steam oxidation of SiC coating layer of TRISO fuel particles

High-temperature oxidation behavior of SiC coating layer of TRISO fuel particles in 1500-1700 degrees C steam at 1 atm has been examined inside a zirconia furnace. The SiC coating layers experienced a thickness loss of less than 2.51.mu m under these conditions up to 24 h. The thickness of the oxide layer formed under these conditions was consistent with prior steam oxidation tests on high-purity bulk SiC. Upon reducing the presence volatile impurities from the test environment (particularly Al) by conducting the tests inside a zirconia furnace, melting of the silica layer at 1700 degrees C was avoided. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.