Nuclear Reactors

The largest insulators are hang-fired and require structures capable of supporting high loads at elevated temperatures. LO-MASS^® high strength silicon carbide kiln furniture systems can withstand the most challenging conditions.

Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories offers a diverse line of low mass, high strength silicon carbide products which ensure unparalleled performance.

The largest insulators are typically suspended from a frame made of advanced silicon carbide support beams and stringer beams (Silit^® SK, Crystar^® 2000, Advancer^® or N-Durance^® silicon carbides^®) and supported by posts made either of Carbofrax^® oxide bonded Cryston^® or AnnaSicon^® nitride bonded silicon carbide.

A special kiln car base design is required in order to resist the high load applied to the posts.

Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories is the industry leader in the design and development of advanced silicon carbide materials and kiln furniture systems.

Alundum^® and Alfrax^® high purity alumina products contain only trace amounts of oxides that may be reduced by hydrogen at temperature.

The higher the purity, the lower the dew point in dry hydrogen furnaces. A low content of tramp oxides is required in such applications where condensation may disturb catalytic processes or clog filtering.

Advanced ceramics (also referred to as technical ceramics, engineered ceramics or industrial ceramics) applications utilize a wide range of different and highly specialized ceramic materials; each with unique combinations of mechanical, electrical, thermal and biochemical properties. 

 

Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories offers a variety of furnace refractories and innovative kiln furniture systems capable of responding to the challenging and diverse high temperature operating conditions found in advanced ceramics applications. 

 

Silicon carbide, high purity alumina, high alumina-mullite, mullite and zirconia refractory and kiln furniture products are available to address a wide range of design and product compatibility requirements. 

Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories provides a range of products for the nuclear industry including dense and insulating bricks, setters, and foams.  

Made from high-purity aluminas, zirconias and dense and acid-resistant silicon carbide (Hexoloy^® SiC), materials from Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories ensure high purity, chemical inertness, resistance to HF, thermal shock or erosion resistance. 

 

Nuclear fuel pellets (uranium oxide) are sintered at high temperatures in a reducing atmosphere. The sintering furnaces need to be lined with high-purity alumina refractories. Alundum^® AH199B or Alfrax^® 101 high-density alumina bricks are used for the hot face wall and Alundum^® AN599 bubble alumina-based insulating fire bricks are used for the backup lining.  

 

Zirconium oxide materials offer extreme temperature and thermal shock resistance, ideal for the core protection system.  

Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories engineers can deliver a complete refractory design for any furnace, co-developing product and design solutions in partnership with customers from across the nuclear industry. 

High thermal conductivity, high strength, and reduced cycle times from LO-MASS^® systems result in significant energy savings.

LO-MASS^® systems are built to last through numerous kiln cycles, while offering reduced thermal mass and cycle times. Advanced silicon carbide components are thinner, lighter, and stronger than traditional kiln furniture, with excellent oxidation resistance and shape retention for longer service life.

LO-MASS^® components are also customizable and flexible for high voltage insulator firing systems.

Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories offers a wide range of resistant options including Alundex^®, Alundum^®, Alfrax^®, AnnaCor^®, Mullfrax^®, Mulnorite^® and AnnaMullit^® high alumina-mullite and mullite kiln furniture formulations.

An alumina-mullite formulation improves thermal shock resistance and creep resistance (sag resistance under load). These products offer excellent performance in high temperature applications where chemical inertness with the fired product is required.

For very high operating temperature capability and chemical inertness, Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories offers an outstanding line including Zirnorite^® and Ziral^® zirconia refractories. This range of products includes calcia, magnesia and yttria stabilized formulations.

When temperatures allow for the use of advanced silicon carbide components, LO-MASS^® kiln furniture systems remain the clear choice for advanced ceramics applications. Easily combined with other oxide refractory products, engineers will design and develop an optimal design solution utilizing the proprietary KilnWorks^® customized software.

High thermal conductivity and reduced cycle times from LO-MASS^® systems result in significant energy savings and more sustainable processes.

LO-MASS^® systems are built to last through numerous kiln cycles, while offering reduced thermal mass and cycle times. Advanced silicon carbide components are thinner, lighter and stronger than traditional kiln furniture, with excellent oxidation resistance and shape retention for longer service life.

LO-MASS^® components are also customizable and flexible for most any firing systems.

Hot pressed silicon nitride (Si3N4) offers increased strength and toughness at higher temperatures, while remaining thermodynamically stable due to its high corrosion resistance.

Noralide^® NBD-200 hot pressed silicon nitride (Si3N4) from Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories is an ideal material for seal face components in nuclear applications. Hot pressed for maximum strength and density, Noralide^® Si3N4 provides superior fracture resistance versus other ceramic or metal refractory materials. In addition to its high hardness and its excellent creep and wear resistance properties, Noralide^® seal face components are lighter weight with exceptional shaping capabilities.