Investigation of beryllium pebbles produced by powder metallurgy for HCPB breeding blanket

Abstract This paper presents the results of investigation of three batches of beryllium pebbles with average pebble size of 1.2–1.3 mm and different average grain sizes (13–14 μm, ∼50 μm and ∼615 μm). Microstructure and chemical composition of produced beryllium pebbles are presented as well as packing density and pebble size distribution. The influence of grain size on tritium release and retention in Be pebbles during temperature programmed desorption (TPD) after high-temperature loading of tritium/hydrogen gas mixture are also described.