Issues and advances in SiCf/SiC composites development for fusion reactors

SiCf/SiC composites are among the most promising candidate structural materials for fusion because of their potential application for high performance reactors and superior safety characteristics compared to metallic materials. Favourable features of SiCf/SiC composites are the high temperature properties and the low activation characteristics at short and medium term. Conversely, the material has some critical issues such as the remarkable gas production due to nuclear transmutation and properties degradation induced by radiation exposure. Continuous progress in R&D and in particular the availability of advanced fibres and improved processing methods, as well as alternative solutions for fibre-matrix interfaces, has led to composites with higher thermo-mechanical characteristics and better radiation stability. This paper reports the issues of fusion reactor studies, the progress in material R&D and the latest results of radiation exposure studies. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.