Breakthrough cladding tech promises longer life for US nuclear fuel

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS), a San Diego-based firm, has made a significant breakthrough in nuclear fuel cladding technology with its Silicon Carbide (SiC) composite material called SiGA. This multilayer composite cladding can withstand temperatures up to 3,452°F (1900°C), which is six times hotter than the conditions in current light-water, pressurized water reactors. The SiGA cladding features a patented localized SiC joining method that creates gas-tight, hermetic seals without exposing nuclear fuel pellets to high-temperature water, enhancing stability during temperature cycling and reducing manufacturing time. Fuel cladding serves as a critical barrier between nuclear fuel pellets and reactor coolant, ensuring safety and operational integrity. GA-EMS has demonstrated that its SiGA cladding exhibits superior high-temperature and irradiation resistance, verified through testing at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Westinghouse’s reactor coolant test facility. After 180 days of exposure to corrosive water coolant, the SiC joints remained