Neutron irradiation effect on mechanical properties of SS/SS hip joint materials for ITER shielding blankets

• Published in: Fusion engineering and design 2006-02, Vol.81 (1), p.631-637
• Main Authors: Yamada, Hirokazu, Sato, Satoshi, Mohri, Kensuke, Nagao, Yoshiharu, Takada, Fumiki, Kawamura, Hiroshi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Controled nuclear fusion plants; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; HIP joint; Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy; ITER shielding blanket; Joint boundary condition; Neutron irradiation effect
• ISSN: 0920-3796; 1873-7196
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2005.07.012

In support of the ITER blanket fabrication, this study clarified the neutron irradiation effect on the tensile properties of HIP joints using stainless steels and the effect of surface roughness (Ry) at the joint boundary on tensile properties of HIP joints. Three different types of joints (type-A: Ry = 1 μm, type-B: Ry = 10 μm and type-C: Ry = 30 μm) were prepared and irradiated up to 1.5 dpa at 240–250 °C. It was determined that the tensile properties of HIP joints were almost the same as those of stainless-steel base material irrespective of neutron irradiation. The difference in surface roughness condition and total elongation of irradiated type-C joints was smaller than that of the other types of joints, but the tensile strength of HIP joints was not changed by the surface roughness condition. This study confirmed that the tensile strength of HIP joints by the standard HIP condition was almost the same as that of the base material after neutron irradiation, and that it is possible to alleviate the requirement on surface roughness condition for HIP joining as part of the ITER blanket fabrication.