Experimental studies on joinability of zircaloy and SiC/SiC composite with titanium powder

Abstract

As for the enhanced accident tolerant fuel cladding for the advanced light‐water reactor, silicon carbide fiber reinforced silicon carbide matrix composite (SiC/SiC composite) is expected as a potential replacement of the current Zircaloy fuel cladding due to its many superiorities, where it is a key issue to develop the endcap seal of SiC/SiC composite cladding. In this research, based on the calking method, the fiber laser irradiation method was employed for sealing the endcap of SiC/SiC composite tube by Zircaloy tube, where the titanium micro‐powder was packed in the slit manufactured on the outer surface of SiC/SiC composite tube. By applying the laser beam irradiation to the outer surface of Zircaloy tube circumferentially, the mechanical calking joint was successfully fabricated. In addition, it is revealed that the good adhesion between Zircaloy and SiC/SiC composite was partially produced as the result of the generation of all proportional solid solution between titanium and zirconium. Moreover, the examinations about the slit shape influences indicate that the narrow hook slit seems to be the best type of silt for holding the titanium powder during the laser irradiation, where the width of slit should be narrower than that of laser irradiation line.