advanced materials for fuel cladding in sodium fast reactors in ...

3- Ceramic cladding ? (4/4)Matrix cracking – impact on leaktightness• When cracks occur, there is a loss of leak-tighness (fission products) = « leak before break »• Need of gas-tight systems abble to sustain strain in operating conditions CEA sandwich concept with inner metallic liner (CEA Patent)~100µmWinded 2D braid 3D braidHorizontal 3D braiding machineExamples of SiC braids [CEA]5 mmExamples of sandwich cladding prototypeSiC/SiC + metallic liner + SiC/SiC• Gastightess even when cracked SiC/SiC (OK up to 300 MPa at least !)• Mechanical properties to be assessed (e.g. inner pressure…)• Chemical compatibility beween SiC and liner to be checked (very good preliminary results with Ta and Nb)Marion LE FLEM, Advanced Materials for Fuel Cladding in Sodium Fast Reactors 25