| Abstract: | This paper discusses a program to develop austenitic stainless and ferritic (martensitic) steels for fusion applications. The service lifetime of the first wall and blanket component structures will have a major effect on the economic viability of fusion energy. These components will operate at elevated temperatures in a corrosive environment within a strong radiation field. Alloy systems under consideration for this application include high-strength Fe-Ni-Cr super-alloys and alloys based on niobium, vanadium and titanium. Much of the experimental research, however, is focussed on more conventional austenitic stainless steels and chromium-molybdenum martensitic grades to withstand the unique irradiation environment of a fusion reactor. |
