Compositional optimisation of silicon carbide for various fusion blanket designs

Recent changes to the European activation file cross-section library have prompted a re-evaluation of the neutron activation response of SiC. The new data suggest that both short-term and long-term activation levels are slightly improved compared with previous library releases. Using this new data, a compositional optimisation methodology based on real measurements is described, and a fully specified SiC composition calculated. The optimised composition is believed to be a compromise between a material that can be realistically fabricated while retaining much of the excellent radiological properties of pure SiC.