Corrosion Behavior of Si₃N₄ Ceramics under High-Temperature and High-Pressure Water Condition

Abstract:

Silicon nitride (Si3N4) ceramics have been considered for various components of nuclear power plants such as mechanical seal of reactor coolant pump (RCP), guide roller for control rod drive mechanism (CRDM), and seal support, etc. Corrosion behavior of Si3N4 ceramics in high-temperature and high-pressure water must be elucidated before they can be considered for components of nuclear power plants. In this study, the corrosion behaviors of Si3N4 ceramics at hydrothermal condition (300°C, 9.0 MPa) were investigated in pure water. The grain-boundary phase was preferentially corroded and the corrosion reaction was controlled by the diffusion of the reactive species and/or products through the corroded layer. Results of this study imply that the variation of sintering aids and/or the control (e.g., crystallization) of the grain-boundary phase are necessary to increase the corrosion resistance of Si3N4 ceramics in high-temperature water.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 26-28)
• Pages: 259-262
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.26-28.259
• Online since: October 2007
• Authors: Weon Ju Kim, Seok Min Kang, Ji Yeon Park
• Keywords: Grain Boundary, Hydrothermal Corrosion

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