A STUDY OF SIC SIC FIBER-COMPOSITE STABILITY IN THERMOCHEMICAL CONDITIONS RELEVANT TO FUSION TECHNOLOGY/

In this paper some results of a study on the compatibility of SiC/SiC fiber ceramic composite with Li2O in fusion-relevant conditions are pr esented. The compatibility experiments were carried out at 800 degrees C in flowing helium (0.1 L/min) containing 0.1% hydrogen. In these co nditions, specimens of composite were kept in contact with Li2O under a static pressure of 20000 Pa for 2232 h in a chamber made of Inconel 600. Both as-received and exposed SiC/SiC specimens have been characte rized. The results obtained demonstrate that SiC/SiC ceramic composite is chemically corroded only on the surface in these conditions and th at its main physicochemical characteristics are not appreciably affect ed.