Materials requirements for fusion reactors
Once the physics of fusion devices is understood, which is expected to be achieved in the early 1980's, one or more experimental power reactors (EPR) are planned which will produce net electrical power. The structural material for the device will probably be a modification of an austenitic stainless steel. Unlike fission reactors, whose pressure boundaries are subjected to no or only light irradiation, the pressure boundary of a fusion reactor is subjected to high atomic displacement-damage and high production rates of transmutation products, e.g., helium and hydrogen. Hence, the design data base must include irradiated materials. Since in situ testing to obtain tensile, fatigue, creep, crack-growth, stress-rupture and swelling data is currently impossible for fusion reactor conditions, a program of service-temperature irradiations in fission reactors followed by postirradiation testing, simulation of fusion conditions and low-fluence 14 MeV neutron-irradiation tests is planned. For the Demonstration Reactor (DEMO) expected to be built within ten years after the EPR, higher heat fluxes may require the use of refractory metals, at least for the first 20 cm. A partial data base may be provided by high-flux 14 MeV neutron sources being planned. Many materials other than those for structural components will be required in the EPR and DEMO. These include superconducting magnets, insulators, neutron reflectors and shields and breeding materials. The rest of the device should utilize conventional materials except that portion involved in tritium confinement and recovery.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
- OSTI ID:
- 6503233
- Journal Information:
- Metall. Trans., A; (United States), Journal Name: Metall. Trans., A; (United States) Vol. 9; ISSN MTTAB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Nuclear data needs for FMIT
Evaluation of irradiation facility options for fusion materials research and development