Effects of heat treatments and addition of minor elements of boron and nitrogen on mechanical properties and microstructures of reduced-activation ferritic/martensitic steel

Wakai, Eiichi  ; Ando, Masami; Okubo, Nariaki   

The reduced-activation ferritic/martensitic (RAFM) steels for the fusion DEMO reactor have been developing from around the 1980s. RAFM steels are the first candidate materials for the first wall and blanket structure of fusion DEMO reactors, the target back-plate and the target assembly of IFMIF. In this study, two subjects had been examined and are summarized as below: (1) Effect of initial heat treatment on the microstructures and mechanical properties of RAFM steels, including irradiation damage, is very important to design the fusion DEMO reactors and also control the changes of mechanical properties after the irradiation. (2) Effects of He and H production on the microstructures and mechanical properties of RAFM steels, including irradiation damage, are essential in the evaluation of design of fusion DEMO reactor, and we have to check and evaluate them in Fusion irradiation environment like IFMIF.