Irradiation effects on the gas formation in metals and alloys

Gaseous impurities are produced in structural materials and cladding of present fission reactors and of the future fusion reactors. The gases are generated from the following main sources: a) Hydrogen production from the (n, p) nuclear reaction and Helium formation from (n, α) nuclear reaction in the structure of material, in all reactor types. b) Tritium to Helium desintegration in the materials structure and diffusion of plasma fuel, Deuterium and Tritium, of the confinement system the exhaiust system and the breeding blanket fusion reactors. In the present work a review is made emphasyzing the effects of Helium, considered of major influence on the materials embrittlement. Experimental techniques are discussed, as well as, the results obtained in the Radiation damage Div. of the Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - CNEN/SP, are analysed. (author)