General Atomics Initiates Irradiation Testing of Nuclear Fuel Cladding Technology

Commercial length SiGA® cladding fabrication demonstrations are underway at GA-EMS. Image captures 12-foot SiGA® cladding rods undergoing densification to achieve full cladding strength.

SAN DIEGO - 16 July 2024 - General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced today that it has achieved a significant milestone in the company's SiGA® cladding technology, by manufacturing the first batch of full-length silicon carbide composite tubes designed for pressurized water reactors (PWR). GA-EMS is under contract with the Department of Energy (DOE) to advance silicon carbide fuel cladding technology for enhanced efficiency and improved safety of the U.S. nuclear reactor fleet.

"This manufacturing demonstration of SiGA cladding at lengths of 12 feet is a notable milestone in our efforts to bring this innovative technology to market," said Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS. "We have been executing a strategic fabrication and test program and advancing manufacturing efficiency and scale up of this enabling product, including demonstration of cladding robustness through collaborative test campaigns with the national labs."

SiGA is a silicon carbide (SiC) composite material that forms the basis for the development of nuclear reactor fuel rods that can survive temperatures far beyond that of current materials.

"SiGA cladding is engineered to enhance the safety and affordability of the existing nuclear reactor fleet," said Dr. Christina Back, vice president of GA-EMS Nuclear Technologies and Materials. "The material's in-core stability can reduce the frequency for refueling the core, which will improve nuclear power plant economics, while providing additional fuel protection in the unlikely case of an accident. This manufacturing milestone showed excellent property uniformity across the length of the part and throughout the production batch. As we continue to validate our scale-up work, these key performance metrics demonstrated at shorter 6 inch to 3-foot lengths, will continue to be the hallmark of SiGA technology at full length."

In addition to scaling fabrication techniques and process improvements, GA-EMS is focused on advanced performance testing, and modeling tool development, for SiGA® fuel rods.

About General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) Group is a global leader in the research, design, and manufacture of first-of-a-kind electromagnetic and power generation systems. GA-EMS' history of research, development, and technology innovation has led to an expanding portfolio of specialized products and integrated system solutions supporting aviation, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and processing and monitoring applications for defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide. For further information, visit www.ga.com/ems

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