Simulation of He embrittlement at grain boundaries of bcc transition metals

Suzudo, Tomoaki   ; Yamaguchi, Masatake   

To investigate what atomic properties largely determine vulnerability to He embrittlement at grain boundaries (GB) of bcc transition metals, we introduced a computational model composed of first principles density functional theory and a He segregation rate theory model. Predictive calculations of He embrittlement at the first wall of the future DEMO fusion concept reactor indicated that variation in the He embrittlement is originated not only from He production rate related to neutron irradiation, but also from the He segregation energy at the GB that has a systematic trend in the periodic table.