In the present study the thermal shock behaviour of Si3N4/SiC composit
es with and without Y2O3 as additive was investigated using the KFA el
ectron beam test facility JUDITH at energy densities of up to 9 MJ m(-
2), which is designed for disruption simulations of materials for the
first wall of a fusion reactor. The influence of SiC content, microstr
ucture, additive and density on thermal shock behaviour and mass loss
is discussed. Composites with additive have a slightly higher mass los
s rate, but show no catastrophical thermal shock behaviour as do the c
omposites without additives. Samples with lower density in the system
with additive revealed no visible difference in mass loss and fracture
behaviour.