LNF:Technology
Materials for fusion applications
The radiation effect is one of the critical aspects concerning fusion reactor development. The neutron and gamma radiation produced in the reactors´vessels generates displacement defects and transmutations. Such micro-structural damage leads the materials to suffer degradation of its mechanical and physical properties. Embrittlement, swelling, stress corrosion cracking, hardening loss of optical transmission and of electrical isolation are some examples of the problems that radiation will cause on structural and functional materials used in ITER and DEMO. LNF drives fundamental research activities to approach the understanding of radiation effects in structural and functional materials of interest for fusion.
Structural Materials
Candidate steels to build the reactor vessel while resisting loads, high temperatures, high radiation fluxes and intense magnetic fields.
Materials for solid breeder blankets
For the HCPB (Helium Cooled Pebble Bed) design.