Ceramic breeder materials

Ceramic materials are under investigation as potential breeder material in fusion reactors. This paper will review candidate materials with respect to (a) fabrication routes and characterization, (b) properties in as-fabricated and irradiated condition, and (c) experimental results from laboratory and in-pile investigations on tritium transport and release. Also discussed are the resources of beryllium, which is being considered as a neutron multiplier. The comparison of ceramic properties that is attempted here aims at the identification of the most-promising material for use in a tritium breeding blanket. (orig.)