FeCr Alloys as Base Material for Fusion Reactors

Fe–Cr is the basis of ferritic steels, which are prime candidates for structural components of future fusion and generation IV fission reactors. However, the expected large heat loads and irradiation doses can lead to microstructural modifications that impact the magnetic and mechanical properties. It is thus critical to assess these modifications and to understand their effect on properties for the safe use of such steels in reactors. We deploy TEM, APT, magnetometry, Vickers hardness, and micropillar compression on Fe–Cr alloys after annealing at 500 °C to understand and overcome in particular the so-called “475 °C embrittlement”.