Transmutation of Mo, Re, W, Hf, and V in various irradiation test facilities and STARFIRE

Abstract

With the exception of V and Cu alloys, the formation of solid transmutants has not been thought to play a large role in the response of metals to irradiation. For a number of refractory elements, however, it appears that very large levels of solid transmutation can occur both in fission and fusion spectra. The phase stability and other properties of alloys can be strong functions of the changing composition. The spectral sensitivity of transmutation also poses some difficulty in correlating data from various neutron spectra. Transmutation of Mo, Re, W, Hf and V have been calculated for the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF), the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR), and the STARFIRE fusion reactor. Results show that Re and W undergo sizeable transmutation in these spectra, and may limit the use of these elements in fusion reactor materials. Vanadium and hafnium have high transmutation rates in HFIR and may require spectral tailoring.