The Effect of Neutron Irradiation on the Mechanical Properties of Advanced Silicon Nitride Nanocomposites

Abstract

There is a continuous need to develop structural and functional components to sustain fusion plasma under the very severe environment such as intense radiation or high temperature in fusion reactors. The reference Si3N4 and novel Si3N4 based nanocomposites with carbon nanotube, graphene or carbon black additions were irradiated in a controlled-temperature irradiation rig inside the Budapest Research Reaktor (BRR) at a temperature of 270 °C. In the irradiation channel of BRR the 1,5×1013 n/cm2 fluence can be re…