EXOTIC, an experimental programme on the development of ceramic tritium breeding materials

An experimental programme, EXOTIC, has been initiated by SNL-Springfields, SCK/CEN-Mol and ECN-Petten to manufacture and characterize the LI-compounds Li2O, Li2TiO3, Li2ZrO3 and Li8ZrO6 and to a lesser extent also to LiAlO2 and Li2SiO3. After complete characterization and measurement of some important physical, chemical and mechanical properties samples of these Li-compounds will, in corporation with the Joint Research Center JRC Petten, be irradiated in the HFR-Petten to investigate in particular the tritium release characteristics. This will be done by in situ tritium extraction. After irradiation the samples will be subjected to detailed post-irradiation testing. All activities are integrated in the European Fusion Technology Programme. The results should contribute among other things to the selection and specification of the material for the NET/INTOR blanket. (orig.)