Effects of impurity elements on mechanical properties and microstructures of reduced-activation ferritic/martensitic steels

Full text of publication follows: Reduced activation ferritic/martensitic steels (RAFs), such as F82H (Fe-8Cr-2W-0.2V- 0.04Ta-0.1C, in wt%), are one of the leading candidates for structural materials of fusion reactors. Impact property of F82H can be improved by adjusting the amount of tantalum or titanium concentration. On the other hand, it was reported by microstructure analyses of IEA steel that tantalum has a tendency to form oxides and causes a large dispersion of fracture toughness. In this study, the correlation between titanium or tantalum concentration and the impact property were reported focusing on difference in microstructure. Charpy impact test and microstructure analyses were carried out against modified F82H series of which titanium, nitrogen and tantalum composition were controlled. Charpy impact test results showed that the ductile-brittle transition temperature (DBTT) of T05A (0.05Ta- 0.0014N-<O.001Ti) was lower than that of T05B (0.05Ta-0.0071N-0.004Ti). Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) observation on brittle fracture surfaces of T05B revealed the presence of Al2O3-Ta(V,Ti)O composite oxides at the fracture initiation point, although simple TaO oxides and composite Al2O3-Ta(V,Ti)O oxides were observed in both steels. The size distribution analyses of oxides indicate that the number density of composite oxides in T05B was higher than in T05A. In addition, EDX analyses showed that composite oxides in T05B had a strong peak of titanium, but the peak were not detected in the oxides in T05A. These results suggest that titanium has a significant influence on the formation of oxides, and affects the impact property. The influence of tantalum concentration on the formation of these oxides and mechanical properties will be reported. (authors)