The ceramic clad development effort has met with a high degree of success. A duplex silicon carbide clad material has been deveIoped, and tested out of pile, that has the potential to vastly improve the performance of LWR fuels. For example:

Public Data

• Strengh Data
• Corrosion Data
• Thermal Conductivity Data

  Strength Data

  Tests at ORNL show very high strain tolerance as needed to withstand Reactivity Insertion Accidents (RIA)

  

  Tests of similar SiC composites show strength retention to very high temperatures, thus affording the opportunity to allow DNB during transients, without damage to the cladding. This would enable larger power uprates of LWRs.

  

  The internal SiC monolithic layer of the duplex cladding is designed to hold fission gases during normal and transient operation to very high internal pressures, thereby allowing extension of the burnup capability. Containment integrity at internal gas pressures in the range of 8000 to 9000 psi have been demonstrated in 15 x 15 fuel cladding geometry.

  

  Corrosion Data

  Short term autoclave tests in 300 C water demonstrate a lower surface recession rate than advanced zirconium alIoys. Longer term corrosion tests are planned.

  

  Thermal Conductivity

  No data yet to report.

  Private Data

  
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