Evaluation of low activation vanadium alloys for structural material in a fusion reactor

The V-7.2Cr-14.5Ti, V-9.2Cr-4.9Ti, V-9.9Cr-9.2Ti, V-13.5Cr-5.2Ti, V-4.1Cr-4.3Ti, Vanstar-7, V-4.6Ti, V-17.7Ti, and V-3.1Ti-(0.5-1.0)Si alloys were evaluated for use as structural material in a fusion reactor. The alloys were evaluated on the basis of their yield strength, swelling resistance, resistance to hydrogen and irradiation embrittlement, and compatibility with a lithium reactor coolant. On the basis of these evaluations, the V-7.2Cr-14.5Ti, V-9.2Cr-4.9Ti, V-9.9Cr-9.2Ti, V-13.5Cr-5.2Ti, Vanstar-7, and V-3.1Ti-(0.5-1.0)Si alloys are considered unacceptable for structural material in a fusion reactor, whereas the V-4.1Cr-4.3Ti, V-4.6Ti, and V-17.7Ti alloys are recommended for more intensive evaluation. The V-7Cr-5Ti alloy may have the optimum combination of strength, DBTT, swelling rate, and lithium dissolution rate for a structural material in a fusion reactor. 4 refs., 6 figs., 4 tabs.