Status of R&D on fusion materials in institute of nuclear materials in USTB

Abstract

Materials constitute a key issue on the path to fusion power reactors. In recent years, activities on materials for fusion reactors are focused on plasma-facing materials, low activation structural materials and functional materials in the Institute of Nuclear Materials, University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB). Through more than 10-year research the plasma-facing materials including SiC/C, B 4C/C, SiC/Cu, B 4C/Cu, and W/Cu functionally graded materials (FGMs) have been developed and new progress on ultra-fine grained tungsten is reported. The functional materials mainly focus on lithium ceramic-type tritium breeders. Researches on low activation structural materials are focused on enhancing the elevated temperature performance. The paper is aimed at presenting the main achievements obtained, key issues and the near- and mid-term perspectives on the fusion materials investigated in the Institute of Nuclear Materials, USTB.