Feasibility study to develop DEnsification processing of a Ceramic MAtrix composite material for Nuclear waste containment (DECMAN)

The aim of this collaborative feasibility study between two UK SME's and the University of Cambridge is to investigate the potential of whether a metal matrix ceramic reinforced composite can be used to store low level nuclear waste by developing consolidation and chemical process reactions to densify or consolidate the material. The composite already has high toughness, strength, relatively low density, is thermally stable and is economically attractive. These attributes are well suited to the intended nuclear waste storage application. However, in its standard form, its permeability to aqueous liquids is too high. The objective of this project is to study the potential for reducing the permeability, by low cost modifications to the production procedures using laboratory demonstrations to increase composite density, and to carry out fluid dynamics modelling of the long-term permeation behaviour of the consolidated material. The project is expected to last for 9 months and to result in the development of tough, lightweight, low-cost ceramic composite material for further prototype development of low-level nuclear waste containment vessels.