Characteristics of microstructure, swelling and mechanical behaviour of titanium beryllide samples after high-dose neutron irradiation at 740 and 873 K

Abstract Titanium beryllide Be 12 Ti is one of the candidate materials for advanced neutron multiplier in the helium-cooled breeding blanket of Demonstration Power Plant (DEMO). Cylinder-shaped specimens (diameters of 3 mm) consisting, mainly, of Be 12 Ti phase were investigated after high-dose neutron irradiation at 740 and 873 K in High Flux Reactor in Petten, Netherlands. The sizes and shapes of radiation-induced gas bubbles as well as swelling of samples were evaluated by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Mechanical behaviour of titanium beryllide specimens in initial and irradiated states was investigated using compression tests under constant loading. Obtained results are discussed and compared with available data on pure beryllium.