Skip to main content
Log in

Vanadium alloys for fusion reactor applications

  • Refractory Metal
  • Overview
  • Published:
JOM Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Fusion reactors will produce a severe operating environment for structural materials. The material should have good mechanical strength and ductility to high temperature, be corrosion resistant to the local environment, have attractive thermophysical properties to accommodate high heat loads, and be resistant to neutron damage. Vanadium alloys are being developed for such applications, and they exhibit desirable properties in many areas. Recent progress in vanadium alloy development indicates good strength and ductility to 700°C, minimal degradation by neutron irradiation, and reduced radioactivity compared with other candidate alloy systems.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. D.J. Rose, “On the Feasibility of Power by Nuclear Fusion,” Report ORNL-TM-2204 (Oak Ridge, TN: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1968).

    Google Scholar 

  2. “ITER Conceptual Design Report,” ITER Documentation Series, no. 18 (Vienna, Austria: International Atomic Energy Agency, 1991).

  3. D.L. Smith et al., “Blanket Comparison and Selection Study—Final Report,” Report ANL/FPP-84-1 (Argonne, IL: Argonne National Laboratory, 1984).

    Google Scholar 

  4. G. Edison and G.A. Whitlow, “Vanadium Alloys vs. Stainless Steel for Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactor Cladding,” Nucl. Appl. and Tech., 7 (1969), p. 443.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. “Refractory Metals Fabrication Technology as Applies to Fusion Reactors—A State of the Art Assessment—Final Report,” Report BNWL-2053/UC-20 (Richland, WA: Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories, 1976).

  6. “Technical Assessment of Vanadium-Base Alloys for Fusion Reactor Applications Final Report,” Report C00-4540-1, vol. 2 (Pittsburgh, PA: Westinghouse Electric Corporation, 1978).

  7. R.E. Gold and D.L. Harrod, “Refractory Metal Alloys for Fusion Reactor Applications,” J. Nucl. Metals., 85–86 (1979), p. 805.

    Google Scholar 

  8. B.A. Loomis, L.J. Nowicki, and D.L. Smith, “Tensile Properties of Vanadium and Vanadium Base Alloys,” Fusion Reactor Materials, Semiannual Progress Report for Period Ending March 31, 1991, OOE/ER-0313/l0 (Oak Ridge, TN: ORNL, 1991).

    Google Scholar 

  9. B.A. Loomis and D.L. Smith, “Vanadium Alloys for Structural Applications in Fusion Systems, a Review of Mechanical and Physical Properties” (Paper presented at the Fifth International Conference on Fusion Reactor Materials, Clearwater, FL, November 1991), to be published in J. Nucl. Mat.

    Google Scholar 

  10. “Nucleation and Growth of Voids by Radiation,” J. Nucl. Mat., 95 (1980), pp. 46–107.

  11. R. Carlander, S.D. Harkness, and A.T. Santhanum, “Effects of Fast Neutron Irradiation on Tensile and Swelling Behavior of Vanadium Alloys,” Effects of Radiation on Substructure and Mechanical Properties at Metals and Alloys, STP 529 (Philadelphia, PA: ASTM, 1973), p. 399.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  12. B.A. Loomis et al., “Swelling Dependence of Neutron-Irradiated Vanadium Alloys on Temperature, Neutron Fluence, and Thermomechanical Treatment,” Fusion Reactor Materials—Semiannual Progress Report for Period Ending September 30, 1990, OOE/ER-0313/9 (Oak Ridge, TN: ORNL, 1991).

    Google Scholar 

  13. H. Attaya and D.L. Smith, “Activation Analyses for Different Fusion Structural Alloys” (Paper presented at Fifth International Conference on Fusion Reactor Materials, Clearwater, FL, November 1991), to be published in J. Nucl. Mat.

    Google Scholar 

  14. B.A. Loomis et al., “Tensile Properties of Vanadium-Base Alloys with a Tungsten/Inert Gas Weld Zone,” Fusion Reactor Materials Semiannual Progress Report for Period Ending March 31, 1992, (Oak Ridge, TN: ORNL, to be published)

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mattas, R.F., Loomis, B.A. & Smith, D.L. Vanadium alloys for fusion reactor applications. JOM 44, 26–29 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03222299

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03222299

Keywords

Navigation