| abstract |
A method of providing an end-cap tubular ceramic composite for containing nuclear fuel (34) in a nuclear reactor includes providing a tubular ceramic composite (40), providing at least one end cap (14, 46, 48), and comprising: Current in the plasma sintering means (10, 50) to apply (42) at least one end cap material to the ends of the composite, to provide electrodes to the end caps and tubular ceramic composite, and to provide a hermetically sealed tube (52). Including the step of applying. The present invention also provides a sealed tube constructed by this method. |