Low-activation characteristics of V-alloys and SiC composites

Two novel low-activation materials for a fusion reactor first wall and blanket structures are examined: a vanadium- based alloy (V-4Cr-4Ti) and a SiC/SiC composite. The comparison concerns low-activation properties, and stresses the importance of data on the impurity content. In particular, new data about impurity levels in vanadium alloys show that long-term activation of such materials may be strongly reduced if certain impurities are kept under control. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.