SIC MATRIX FUEL CLADDING TUBE WITH SPARK PLASMA SINTERED END PLUGS

摘要

A method of providing an end-capped tubular ceramic composite for containing nuclear fuel (34) in a nuclear reactor involves the steps of providing a tubular ceramic composite (40), providing at least one end plug (14, 46, 48), applying (42) the at least one end plug material to the ends of the tubular ceramic composite, applying electrodes to the end plug and tubular ceramic composite and applying current in a plasma sintering means (10, 50) to provide a hermetically sealed tube (52). The invention also provides a sealed tube made by this method.

主权项

1. A method of providing an end capped tubular ceramic composite to hermetically seal the tube to the at least one end cap, comprises:
(1) providing a tubular ceramic composite having tube walls and a circumferential axis and the at least one end plug material; (2) applying the at least one end plug material to at least one end of the tubular ceramic composition, the end plug having an exterior and interior side; (3) applying at least one primary electrode to the exterior side of the at least one end plug; (4) optionally applying at least one secondary electrode to the exterior side of the tubular ceramic composite; (5) applying current to the electrodes using a spark plasma sintering means to supply a rapid temperature rise in the cladding/plug interface of up to 1,500° C./min., where the interface temperatures at the end plug interface with the tube end are from ambient to 2,500° C.