Status of the European R&D activities on SiCf /SiC composites for fusion reactors

Silicon carbide composites are a candidate for fusion reactors structural material because of their low activation and after heat properties and good mechanical properties at elevated temperatures. These materials, to be more suitable with their use for fusion energy production, need a strong R&D effort in order to solve some critical issues such as thermal conductivity and radiation stability, hermeticity, chemical compatibility with the fusion environment, the capability to be formed in complex geometries, the joining process and long production time. Constant progress in the fibre quality and matrix–fibre interfaces contribute to support the use of SiCf/SiC composites as structural material for fusion application. This paper presents an overview of the current status of the European R&D activities on SiCf/SiC composites focussing on reactor design studies, composites manufacturing, material characterisation in particular after irradiation, chemical compatibility with different blanket environments and development of joining techniques.