Advanced characterization techniques for SiC and PyC coatings on high-temperature reactor fuel particles

Enhancing the safety of high-temperature reactors (HTRs) is based on the quality of the fuel particles, requiring good knowledge of the microstructure of the four-layer particles designed to retain the fission products during irradiation and under accidental conditions. This paper focuses on the intensive research work performed to characterize the micro- and nanostructure of each unirradiated layer (silicon carbide and pyrocarbon coatings). The analytic expertise developed in the 1970s has been recovered and innovative advanced characterization methods have been developed to improve the process parameters and to ensure the production reproducibility of coatings.