Technical session 5: Beryllide application. Recent progress on R and D of beryllides as advanced neutron multipliers for DEMO blanket in the Broader Approach activities

Fusion reactors require advanced neutron multipliers with high stability at high temperatures. The fundamental granulation technique for beryllides as advanced neutron multipliers has been established. However, the homogenized Be₁₂Ti pebbles indicated increase of hydrogen generation reactivity because of the increased specific surface area of the homogenized Be₁₂Ti pebbles. To prevent the increase of hydrogen generation reactivity associated with the increased specific surface area, granulation experiments of prototypic pebbles of the Be₁₇Ti₂ and Be₁₂V compositions without peritectic reaction were carried out. Prototypic beryllide pebbles 1 mm in diameter composed of single phase Be₁₇Ti₂ and Be₁₂V were successfully fabricated directly by granulation using the rotating electrode method without homogenization treatment. Analysis revealed that these prototypic pebbles of the Be₁₇Ti₂ and Be₁₂V compositions demonstrated a good oxidation property more than pure Be pebbles. (author)