Aging behavior of metal tritides

Tritium used for controlled fusion studies is stored, for safety reasons, in solid compounds. Physicochemical properties of metallic or intermetallic tritides are evolving with time. This aging is due to beta-minus decay and helium 3 formation producing swelling and modifications of isotherms, microstructure and mechanical properties. Helium 3 is retained in the tritide up to a critical concentration for an atomic ratio He/metal between 0.2 and 0.4. Localization of helium in tritides is examined. 5 figs., 15 refs