Development of Zr-containing advanced reduced-activation alloy (ARAA) as structural material for fusion reactors

• Published in: Fusion engineering and design Vol. 109-111; pp. 629 - 633
• Main Authors: Chun, Y.B., Kang, S.H., Lee, D.W., Cho, S., Jeong, Y.H., Żywczak, A., Rhee, C.K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.11.2016
• Subjects: Impact resistance; Magnetic properties; Reduced-activation ferritic–martensitic steel; Tensile properties; Thermal properties; Thermal properties; Impact resistance; Tensile properties; Reduced-activation ferritic–martensitic steel; Magnetic properties
• ISSN: 0920-3796; 1873-7196
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2016.02.032

•Creep and impact resistances of reduced activation ferritic–martensitic steel are enhanced by the addition of Zr.•A 5ton scale heat of Zr containing RAFM steel, ARAA, has been produced for material property evaluation.•The physical, thermal, magnetic and mechanical properties of ARAA are quite similar to those of Eurofer 97. Korea has developed an advanced reduced-activation alloy (ARAA) as a structural material for helium-cooled ceramic reflector test blanket module (HCCR-TBM) applications. The present paper describes the history of alloy development and the properties of ARAA, which has been produced at a 5t scale using vacuum induction melting and electro-slag re-melting methods. ARAA is a 9Cr–1.2W based ferritic–martensitic steel with 0.01wt.% Zr. The mechanical properties, thermal properties and physical and magnetic properties of ARAA show similar temperature dependencies to those observed for Eurofer 97. However, ARAA exhibits a much longer creep–rupture time than conventional RAFM steel, which suggests a positive effect on Zr addition. The enhanced creep strength of ARAA by the addition of Zr is attributed to the reduced temperature-dependence of the yield strength.