The Sibelius experiment: Study of the irradiation behaviour of beryllium/ceramic and beryllium/steel compacts

Abstract

Sibelius is an in-reactor compatibility test of beryllium and ceramics i.e, Be/Li 2O, Be/LiAlO 2, Be/Li 4SiO 4, Be/Li 2ZrO 3, and beryllium and steels i.e., Be/316L, Be/1.4914 (martensitic steel) conducted in the core of the Siloe reactor at Grenoble. The experiment is run for four cycles ( ~ 80 days) at a temperature of 550°C. Effect of neutron irradiation on compatibility is identified by comparison with out-of-reactor tests carried out in identical conditions. By monitoring the tritium release characteristics from the compatibility specimens and comparing with check samples containing only ceramics, one can quickly obtain information on certain reactions. Extensive post-irradiation examination will be performed in the USA, CEA and KFK laboratories to evaluate: 1. (1) corrosion at the beryllium/ceramic interface; 2. (2) corrosion at the beryllium/steel interface; 3. (3) retention of tritium and helium in ceramics; 4. (4) retention of tritium and helium in beryllium; and 5. (5) swelling of beryllium.