Helium release behavior of aged titanium tritides

One sample of bulk Ti has been loaded with a 50%/50% deuterium/tritium (D/T) mixture and statically aged for 6.5 years. Thermal desorption of the sample shows an initial release of hydrogen isotopes followed by He-3 release. Subsequent D-2 loading/desorption was used to quantify the trapped tritium heel. The sample shows an excess hydrogen capacity as a second thermal desorption peak that partially disappears and shifts with annealing at 923-973 K. The main hydrogen desorption peak also shifts to higher temperature, indicating a partial reversal of the tritium-decay induced damage by annealing. (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier B.V.