Design and material issues for high performance SiCf/SiC-based fusion power cores

The SiCf/SiC composite is a promising structural material candidate for fusion power cores and has been considered internationally in several power plant studies. It offers safety advantages arising from its low induced radioactivity and afterheat, and the possibility of high performance through high temperature operation. However, its behavior and performance at high temperatures and under irradiation are still not well known and need to be better characterized. This paper summarizes the current SiCf/SiC design and R&D status. The latest SiCf/SiC-based power core design studies are summarized, and the key SiCf/SiC parameters affecting the performance of power core components are highlighted. The current status of the material R&D is discussed, with the focus on fabrication and joining, baseline properties and properties under irradiation, as well as the desirable evolution of these properties. In the light of this, the R&D plans are summarized and assessed. Finally, to help present-day design studies and in the expectation of future confirmatory R&D results, recommendations are provided on SiCf/SiC parameters and properties to be assumed for present design analysis of long term SiCf/SiC-based power plants. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.