Structural materials development and databases

Abstract

Fusion plants will have a large scale and therefore need a high availability and reliability to generate electricity economically. The materials total life cycle controls the choices of crucial plant components such as blankets and divertors to a high degree. Materials applications so far rely on data obtained with fission reactors up to levels of 80 dpa. Such fission simulations miss the effects of the He and H generated in a fusion plasma environment. The International Fusion Material Irradiation Facility, IFMIF, a 14 MeV neutron source, will provide more realistic tests. Its design will rely on the databases obtained with fission reactors. IFMIF itself will produce materials databases that will be incorporated in design codes for fusion power plants. The first generation of blankets will be built with reduced activation steels. The race for higher thermal efficiencies leads further to the application of oxide dispersion strengthened steels and SiC ceramic composite. SiC structural utilisation requires breakthroughs. Tungsten alloys are attractive for divertors operating with high heat flux surfaces at high temperature. Their high temperature embrittlement is presently improved with promising thermo-mechanical treatments. Research results should be incorporated in “early bird” databases improving design and materials expert interaction.