Residual stress analysis of deuterium irradiated copper coatings

Copper coatings on the inside surface of aluminum 6061 tubes are applied to mitigate the implanted tritium retention and permeation problem. The aluminum tubes through which Helium-3 gas flows continuously are used to capture the tritium generated when spallation neutrons are created during collision of the accelerated protons with a tungsten target. One of the major components of nuclear weapons is the radioisotope of hydrogen, called tritium, which enhances the explosive force of nuclear warheads and reduces their size. The capture, storage and production of tritium as a continuous supply is extremely important for the nuclear stockpile. These deuterium irradiated copper coatings are analyzed.