Test Method for SiC/SiC Composite Tubes under Tensile Loading at Ambient Temperature

SiC/SiC composites are promising materials for future nuclear system due to several characteristics such as high strength, chemical inertness, low radiation-induced activation and excellent irradiation performance, e. g. control rod sheath for very-high temperature gas-cooled reactors, advanced cladding in light water reactor systems and core structure materials in fusion reactors. Some of the applications require SiC/SiC composites in a tubular form. The tensile test method is very important for SiC/SiC composite tubes because of their markedly different geometries compared to flat plates. In this paper the test method for SiC/SiC composite tubes under tensile loading at ambient temperature was introduced according to ASTM standard. This test method described a procedure for tensile testing SiC/SiC composite tubes. This test method addresses test equipment, gripping methods, testing modes, allowable bending stresses, tubular test specimen geometries, test specimen preparation, test procedures and data collection.