Chemical degradation of SiC/SiC composite for the cladding of gas-cooled fast reactor in case of severe accident scenarios

► High temperature fast oxidation using a concentrated solar furnace. ► High temperature oxidation of SiC/SiC in helium with low oxygen partial pressure. ► Mass loss evaluation in accident conditions of the GFR up to 2300 K. ► Different behaviours from 1970 K compared with massive β-SiC samples.