Overview of Coating and Compatibility Research for Fusion Energy in the U.S.

Abstract

Planning for a U.S. test blanket module to operate in the internationally-sponsored ITER reactor has focused attention on the many coating and compatibility issues that will need to be solved before fusion energy moves from concept to commercial reality. Examples are given for (1) a dual-layer, electrically-resistant coating as a potential solution to reduce the magnetohydrodynamic pressure drop with liquid Li and (2) materials compatibility issues with eutectic Pb-Li for conventional alloys and SiC/SiC composites. Because of the reduced activity of Li in Pb-Li, a wider range of functional materials can be considered in this system. Nevertheless, an Al2O3 scale on FeCrAl was transformed to LiAlO2 after exposure to Pb-Li at 800°C.