I. Shchelkanov, R. Paul, T. Anderson, J. Fuss, R. Stubbers, B. Jurczyk, Starfire Industries LLC, Champaign, IL
Silicon Carbide (SiC) thin films are mechanically and chemically stable in wide range of temperatures including temperatures around (900C). These features make them a good mechanical and chemical protection option for structural components that are subjected to harsh environments, like conditions inside high temperature molten salt reactors. The thin SiC have good neutronic properties, which makes them compatible with most nuclear reactor applications. This combination of properties makes SiC coatings a perspective candidate for corrosion protection in high temperature molten sault nuclear reactors as a molten salt facing layer. Among components that need protection is the tubing for molten salt flow and especially the inner surface of the tubes; the tubes are of smaller diameters – smaller than 25mm. Technologically it is very difficult to deposit a well-adhered SiC film onto the inner surface of a small diameter tube, and there is no wide spread process in the industry at the moment, that could perform deposition in a cost effective manner on scale.

In current work Starfire Industries reports results of a micron thick SiC film deposition on the inner diameter of a metal tube using HIPIMS + Positive Kick technology. Coating process capabilities are discussed. Coating hardness, wear resistance, and adhesion performance at high temperatures are discussed.