Status of the European R&D activities on SiCf /SiC composites for fusion reactors

Silicon carbide composites are a candidate for fusion reactors structural m aterial because of their low activation and after heat properties and good mechanical properties at elevated temperatures. These materials, to be more suitable with their use for fusion energy production, need a strong R&D ef fort in order to solve some critical issues such as thermal conductivity an d radiation stability, hermeticity, chemical compatibility with the fusion environment, the capability to be formed in complex geometries, the joining process and long production time. Constant progress in the fibre quality a nd matrix-fibre interfaces contribute to support the use of SiCf/SiC compos ites as structural material for fusion application This paper presents an o verview of the current status of the European R&D activities on SiCf/SiC co mposites focussing on reactor design studies, composites manufacturing, mat erial characterisation in particular after irradiation, chemical compatibil ity with different blanket environments and development of joining techniqu es. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.