Low-activation characteristics of V-alloys and SiC composites

Abstract

Two novel low-activation materials for a fusion reactor first wall and blanket structures are examined: a vanadium-based alloy (V–4Cr–4Ti) and a SiC/SiC composite. The comparison concerns low-activation properties, and stresses the importance of data on the impurity content. In particular, new data about impurity levels in vanadium alloys show that long-term activation of such materials may be strongly reduced if certain impurities are kept under control.