HELIUM RELEASE FROM NEUTRON-IRRADIATED SIC CONTAINING B-10 ISOTOPE

In this study, SiC ceramics containing 10B isotopes were neutron-irradiated and helium atoms were produced by the 10B(n, α)7Li reaction. Helium release from neutron-irradiated SiC was studied by post-irradiation heating. After neutron irradiation, powder specimens were made by grinding the sintered specimens by a diamond saw. The powder specimen had an average particle size of about 1.2 μm, which was measured by using a scanning electron microscope. The helium release rate was measured as a function of temperature using a helium detector. The release rate was calibrated by a standard helium leak.