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December 2,2015

DOE 20d. Structural Materials and Coatings

  • Release Date:11-02-2015
  • Open Date:11-30-2015
  • Due Date:12-21-2015
  • Close Date:02-09-2016

 

Fusion materials and structures must function for a long time in a uniquely hostile environment that includes combinations of high temperatures, reactive chemicals, high stresses, and intense damaging radiation. The goal is to establish the feasibility of designing, constructing and operating a fusion power plant with materials and components that meet demanding objectives for safety, performance, and minimal environmental impact.

Grant applications are sought for:

Development of innovative methods for joining beryllium (~2 mm thick layer) to RAFM steels. The resulting bonds must be resistant to the effects of neutron irradiation, exhibit sufficient thermal fatigue resistance, and minimize or prevent the formation of brittle intermetallic phases that could result in coating debonding.  

Development of fabrication techniques for typical component geometries envisioned for use in test blanket modules for operation in ITER using current generation RAFM steels. Such fabrication techniques could include but are not limited to appropriate welding, hot-isostatic pressing, hydroforming, and investment casting methods as well as effective post joining heat treatment techniques and procedures. Appropriate fabrication technologies must produce components within dimensional tolerances, while meeting minimum requirements on mechanical and physical properties.

Development of oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) ferritic steels. Approaches of interest include the development of low cost production techniques, improved isotropy of mechanical properties, development of joining methods that maintain the properties of the ODS steel, and development of improved ODS steels with the capability of operating up to ~800˚C, while maintaining adequate fracture toughness at room temperature and above.

 

Development of functional coatings for the RAFM/Pb-Li blanket concept. Coatings are needed for functions that include (1) compatibility: minimizing dissolution of RAFM in Pb-Li at 700°C, (2) permeation: reducing tritium permeation (hydrogen for demonstration) by a factor of >100 and (3) electrically insulating: reducing the pressure drop due to the magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) effect. Proposed approaches must: (1) account for compatibility with both the coated structural alloy and liquid metal coolant for long-time operation at 500-700˚C (2) address the potential application of candidate coatings on large-scale system components; and (3) demonstrate that the permeation and MHD coatings are functional during or after exposure to Pb-Li.

Priority will be given to innovative methods or experimental approaches that enhance the ability to obtain key mechanical or physical property data on miniaturized specimens, and to the micromechanics evaluation of deformation and fracture processes.

Questions – Contact: Daniel Clark, daniel.clark@science.doe.gov

 

Reference

  1. United States Department of Energy Office of Fusion Energy Sciences. (2009). Research Needs

    for Magnetic Fusion Energy Sciences. Report of the Research Needs Workshop (ReNeW).

    Bethesda, Maryland. June 8-12, 2009. pp. 285-292..

  2. U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science: Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee.

    (2012). Opportunities for Fusion Materials Science and Technology Research now and During the ITER Era.