N. Holstein

Aluminum-Based Barrier Development for Nuclear Fusion Applications

Abstract In the helium-cooled lead-lithium (HCLL) design concept for blanket structures of a future fusion power plant, the eutectic Pb-15.7Li alloy is used as a liquid tritium breeder and is in direct contact with the structural material, e.g., ferritic-martensitic steels. Compatibility tests showed that a high corrosion attack appears and that the dissolved steel elements like Fe and Cr form precipitates, with a high risk of system blockages. Therefore, coatings as corrosion barriers are required for a reliable plant operation. Because of safety reasons, a distinct permeation reduction of the tritium, produced in the Pb-Li alloy by nuclear reactions, into the environment has to be limited, too. Previous developments already showed that Al-based coatings can perform very well as anti-corrosion and tritium permeation (T-permeation) reduction barriers in a PbLi environment. However, industrially relevant coating technologies for fusion application are still missing and/or cannot fulfil low activation crite...