Embedding Sensors in 3D-Printed Silicon Carbide

Silicon carbide (SiC) is an attractive material for high-temperature heat exchangers and nuclear reactor systems. To date, technological advancements have been stifled by manufacturing constraints, which are quite limiting for ceramics such as SiC. Recently Oak Ridge National Laboratory has filed an invention disclosure for a methodology to print complex SiC components using binder jet additive manufacturing followed by densification using chemical vapor infiltration (CVI). If successful, this approach also allows for incorporation of sensors in critical locations during the manufacturing process. The challenge for incorporating sensors is that the sensor and/or sensor sheath must survive extremely high temperatures and a chemically aggressive environment (HCl and H2 gas). Therefore, materials selection is critical to successfully embedding sensors in 3D-printed SiC components.

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