Coated Particle Fuels for Space Nuclear Propulsion

An important challenge in space nuclear propulsion is the development of fuels capable of withstanding multiple restarts and short burns at 2400 °C with flowing hydrogen. Coated particle fuels with ZrC coatings have been identified as possible fuel candidates for space exploration. In this work we explore the challenges associated with the fabrication of this new fuel configuration using fluidized bed chemical vapor deposition, and the performance of ZrC at temperatures above 1900 °C and under irradiation. The impact of the as produced microstructure and composition on the grain growth and mechanical properties of these coatings is discussed.