Irradiation studies at Los Alamos Neutron Science Center supporting the Accelerator Production of Tritium project

Recognizing the need for definitive mechanical and physical property data supporting design work, the APT project sponsored an aggressive irradiation program at the beam stop area at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE). The LANSCE beam energy is 800 MeV with a current of 2 mA. By focusing the beam, a proton flux prototype to that expected at APT was achieved. The initial irradiations focused on radiation damage effects on the mechanical and physical properties of materials selected for structural components and neutron-producing target elements. The irradiations also included models of the Pb-Al blanket module and capsules that served as models of the He gas containment system. The program was extended to include measurement of in situ corrosion0related phenomena, decay heat induced by proton bombardment of a W target, and performance of He-gas-handling equipment. These later measurements also were effective in developing instrumentation applicable to the surveillance of an operating plant. Results from these studies are becoming available and are summarized here