Materials to deliver the promise of fusion power - progress and challenges

High-performance reduced-activation materials are crucial for fulfillment of the promise of fusion to provide safe, economical, and environmentally acceptable energy. Three reduced activation structural materials have emerged as promising candidates, based on 8-9Cr ferritic/martensitic steels, V-Cr-Ti alloys, and SiC/SiC composites. Due to advances in understanding how to control and engineer the nanoscale phase stability required for harsh neutron irradiation environments, these reduced activation materials have unirradiated properties that are superior to commercially available analogs. Perhaps the most important accomplishment to date from fusion materials research is the radiation effects knowledge base. Models of radiation effects and supporting experiments highlight the critical role of helium production on the microstructural stability and lifetime of irradiated materials. The proposed International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility (IFMIF) would fill a critical need for fusion materials development. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.