Dispersed SiC nanoparticles in Ni observed by ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering

Abstract

A metal–ceramic composite, nickel reinforced with SiC nanoparticles, was synthesized and characterized for its potential application in next‐generation molten salt nuclear reactors. Synchrotron ultra‐small‐angle X‐ray scattering (USAXS) measurements were conducted on the composite. The size distribution and number density of the SiC nanoparticles in the material were obtained through data modelling. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy characterization were performed to substantiate the results of the USAXS measurements. Tensile tests were performed on the samples to measure the change in their yield strength after doping with the nanoparticles. The average interparticle distance was calculated from the USAXS results and is related to the increased yield strength of the composite.

Structural characterization of SiC nanoparticles

“…They found that the nanofluids with larger particles have higher thermal conductivity and lower viscosity than those with smaller particles of the same material because of the smaller solid/liquid interfacial area in the former system [15] . It was also reported that the catalytic activity highly depends on the shape and size of the nanoparticles [16] . Nanoparticles used as second phase reinforcement also affect the yield strength of the compound material by their size distribution [17] .…”