Factors affecting the hydrothermal corrosion behavior of chemically vapor deposited silicon carbides

The hydrothermal corrosion behavior of chemical-vapor-deposited SiC was investigated for application as nuclear fuel cladding in a pressurized water reactor (PWR). This paper presented the effect of grain size, stacking fault, electrical conductivity, and electrochemical properties on the hydrothermal corrosion behavior of the CVD SiC in a simulated PWR water loop at 360 °C and 18.5 MPa. The hydrothermal corrosion of SiC was strongly influenced by electrical conductivity. It was revealed that high electrical conductivity leads to high exchange current density, which allows SiO2/Si(OH)4 to form easily on the SiC surface, allowing it to dissolve rapidly in the hydrothermal environment.