Chemical Vapour Infiltration and Deposition of Silicon Carbide, Carbon, and Oxides

The purpose of this RFI is to have a better understanding of the capabilities for chemical vapour infiltration of fibre reinforced composites which currently exist. The materials of interest to be manufactured by chemical vapour infiltration or deposition (CVI or CVD) are silicon carbide fibre reinforced composites. The CVI materials will act as the interphase coating on the fibres, and the matrix. Interphase materials of interest include pyrolytic carbon, and rare earth oxides (eg. erbia) and silicates (eg. yttrium disilicate). Matrix materials of interest are silicon carbide, and coatings of interest are silicon carbide and rare earth oxides. Alternative methods of applying sub-micron scale interphases are also of interest. The main objective is to find out supplier’s capabilities to produce parts, and obtain an understanding of the possible size, and geometric complexity which can be achieved, including limitations on the supply of raw materials. These parts are intended for material testing, with potential application as structural materials in the blanket of a tokamak fusion reactor. The aims of this RFI are given in section 3.1. UKAEA wish to ask prospective suppliers to answer the requirements in section 3.2. Estimation of cost and timelines would also be appreciated to aid us in planning.