High temperature steam oxidation of SiC coating layer of TRISO fuel particles

High-temperature oxidation behavior of SiC coating layer of TRISO fuel particles in 1500-1700 °C steam at 1 atm has been examined inside a zirconia furnace. The SiC coating layers experienced a thickness loss of less than 2.5 μm under these conditions up to 24 h. The thickness of the oxide layer formed under these conditions was consistent with prior steam oxidation tests on high-purity bulk SiC. Upon reducing the presence volatile impurities from the test environment (particularly Al) by conducting the tests inside a zirconia furnace, melting of the silica layer at 1700 °C was avoided.