Radiation effects in materials for fusion reactors
The 14-MeV neutrons produced in a fusion reactor result in different irradiation damage than the equivalent fluence in a fast breeded reactor, not only because of the higher defect generation rate, but because of the production of significant concentrations of helium and hydrogen. Although no fusion test reactor exists, the effects of combined displacement damage plus helium can be studied in mixed-spectrum fission reactors for alloys containing nickel (e.g., austenitic stainless steels). The presence of helium appears to modify vacancy and interstitial recombination such that microstructural development in alloys differs between the fusion and fission reactor environments. Since mechanical properties of alloys are related to the microstructure, the simultaneous production of helium and displacement damage impacts upon key design properties such as tensile, fatigue, creep, an crack growth. Through an understanding of the basic phenomena occurring during irradiation and the relationships between microstructure and properties, alloys can be tailored to minimize radiation-induced swelling and improve mechanical properties in fusion reactor service.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-26
- OSTI ID:
- 5630895
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-811113-40; ON: DE82004099; TRN: 82-007740
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: American Vacuum Society national symposium, Anaheim, CA, USA, 3 Nov 1981
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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THERMONUCLEAR REACTOR MATERIALS
MATERIALS TESTING
HELIUM
HYDROGEN
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MICROSTRUCTURE
NEUTRON REACTIONS
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BARYON REACTIONS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GASES
HADRON REACTIONS
MATERIALS
NONMETALS
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
NUCLEON REACTIONS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RARE GASES
TESTING
700209* - Fusion Power Plant Technology- Component Development & Materials Testing