Slipcasting of MAX phase tubes for nuclear fuel cladding applications

As a proof of concept, tubes of Ti3SiC2 MAX phase were slipcast in order to investigate its potential for the fabrication of fuel cladding for nuclear reactors. A slip consisting of 46% dry weight basis (dwb) water, 4% dwb polyethyleneimine (PEI), 0.5% dwb methylcellulose was used to cast the tubes, which were then sintered for 2 h under vacuum at 1450 degrees C. Silicon loss was observed at surface which resulted in the formation of TiC. The hoop stress to destruction of the tubes was measured and achieved a maximum of 9.1 +/- 2.2 MPa/mm of tube thickness.