WP6

Introduction

WP6 targets the use of ion/proton irradiation as screening tool for the assessment of the neutron irradiation tolerance of ATF clads & joints. If proven successful in emulating neutron-induced defect microstructures in the ATF clad candidates, ion/proton irradiation may become a cost-effective, high-throughput tool for accelerated material development, by providing feedback to the processing activities in WP1-WP3. Material screening will study potential radiation-induced material degradation effects, such as coating decomposition, differential swelling, void segregation at various interfaces, etc.

The PIE data will aid material optimisation with respect to radiation tolerance, especially with respect to the stability of key microstructural features. Cladding material pre-screening by ions/protons requires the identification of the appropriate equivalences between ion, proton and neutron irradiation conditions that result in the same type and density of defects in the irradiated matter. Gaining a first understanding of irradiation effects in the ATF clads will help to update the models predicting in-service performance (WP9). The accuracy of these models will be further improved based on the outcome of the PIE (WP8) of neutron-irradiated materials.

Deliverables

• D6.1: TEM specimen preparation protocol for irradiated materials
• D6.2: Mid-term assessment of ion/proton irradiation tolerance of ATF clads/ joints
• D6.3: Ion/proton irradiation best-practice guidelines for AMD