Technical assessment of vanadium-base alloys for fusion reactor applications. Volume I. Assessment of data base, needs and recommendations. Final report

A technical assessment of vanadium and vanadium-base alloys for fusion reactor applications has been carried out. The major objective of this assessment was the development of an informed basis of understanding of the chemical, mechanical, and irradiation response characteristics of vanadium alloys. Efforts were focused on several separate, but interrelated, program tasks. First, a detailed review and analysis of the pertinent technical literature was carried out. Properties which were emphasized were those believed to be most important to making judgments of the viability of vanadium alloys as candidate fusion reactor strucutral materials. The next task reviewed the technical data bases, and methods and assumptions related to their use, which have been factored into life/performance analyses. The critical data gaps/priority needs necessary for these analyses are documented. Finally, criteria are suggested, and test/evaluation procedures recommended, pertinent to judging relative performance levels of vanadium alloys during future alloy development activities. Compositional and metallurgical variables recommended for investigation during such future activities are also presented